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"They said the following about Maria Assunção: Manuel Eraclio Carrillo, the boy who would one day be her father, dreamed of her at noon, at the age of twelve, when he fell from his horse. (…) when feverish and with the face of a ghost, he sat on the bed and said: 'I saw the Virgin'". This is how this captivating historical novel with hints of magical realism starts.
La Virgen Carrillo (The Virgin Carrillo) tells the story of Maria Asunción Carrillo Fálcon, cousin sister and hidden love of Francisco Solano Lopez, the Karai-guasu (great lord) of Paraguay, before the War of the Triple Alliance. The book narrates the life of Maria Asunción and her family, permeated with stories of the high class, religiosity, love, and power in 19th-century Paraguay.
With beautiful and fluid descriptions, Mabel Pedrozo enchanted me and took me through part of Paraguayan culture. If one book represented what I wanted from this reading challenge, it would be this book. A text full of the Paraguayan way, its cocido quemado (a typical drink from there) and impregnated with Guaraní (one of the official languages of this country).
Throughout the story, we see the typical "morals and good customs" of a super Catholic high society full of hypocrisy. Also, the text deals with prejudice against indigenous peoples, showing that at the same time, they try to demean them, but what is native is also part of them. Between mysticism and realism, the author adds flavor to the documented history.
Despite being fiction, the main characters are real. In Francisco Lopez's biographies, and also some records, there are references to María and her relatives. Through a historical character who touches Paraguayan emotions, this book depicts a love story, but not as expected.
In fact, it is a story of family love and a criticism of the society of a former European colony. The father and daughter relationship of María Asuncíon and Manuel Eraclio is described in a remarkably and moving way by the author.
Alone, Doña Magdalena poured herself a mate Her eldest son ran hunched over towards the twelve steps where he climbed into the house. In the shed, Tapé was welcomed by the brown joy of his people. - May God bless you and keep you - his mother blessed him without showing any distress, but the son noticed, on the shelf of the saints in the dining room, the lit bud of a candle in front of the image of Saint Michael the Archangel. The patron saint of the Viana de Larios Galván.
Francisco Solano Lopez Carrillo and the War of the Triple Alliance
For context, especially for those who may not know South American history, Francisco Solano Lopez is a controversial character. He is sometimes painted as a hero, sometimes as a dictator.
Paraguay had several advances under his government, such as reducing illiteracy and modernizing the army. His patriotism until the moment of death is always valued. However, he ordered to arrest and kill many politicians, judges, priests, and his own family members.
In short, with the idea of placing Paraguay as one of the region's economic powers (surpassing Brazil and Argentina), Francisco Solano allied himself with the Uruguayan government. In a scenario of several disputes and the threat to the "River Plate Balance," the War of the Triple Alliance arose when Francisco Solano declared war on Brazil due to the intervention of Brazilian troops in Uruguayan issues. As the war unfolded, Paraguay was massacred, and the war ended with his death on the battlefield.
Tapé and Maurícia, both of indigenous origin, are another couple whose love story is told beautifully in the book. They still have some freedom to touch each other without anyone's blessing other than themselves. Yet depending on the permission of the white employers.
Calmly, he showed himself completely under that light that was not moonlight because there was no moon. Both, like fireflies, lit up for each other. They drank in agony of thirst. No one was there to notice the shadow lifted from the corridor.
I confess that in the final parts, I got a little lost in the mystical matter, but nothing that detracts from the book. Once I finished the book, I could easily list people who would love to read it. Hoping there was a translated version.
A good read for anyone who wants to learn a little about Paraguayan history and customs and get involved with the characters.
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Note: All quotes mentioned above are a loose translation done after finishing the book.
About the Writer
Mabel Pedrozo (1965-2022) is a Paraguayan writer and journalist born in Asunción. She is known for her journalistic work and her texts that bring real-life Paraguayan speech using Jopara (a colloquial language that mixes Guaraní and Spanish, common in the Paraguayan capital). She published several books of short stories, poetry, and novels, in addition to being the founder of Casa del Escritor-Escritor Róga, to disseminate literature in all Paraguayan languages.
Other Books: Mujeres en el teléfono y otros cuentos” (1997), “Debajo de la cama” (2000), “Multiplicada” (2001), “Juego de sábanas” (2003), “Las arrugas de la virgen” (2010), “Hilván de lunas” (2017) and “La virgen del carrillo” (2021),
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