Our Lady of the Assassins by Fernando Vallejo
This novel is a dark and gripping exploration of life in MedellĂn, Colombia, during the height of the drug wars. The protagonist, a middle-aged writer, returns home after many years abroad, only to find his city ravaged by violence and death. He falls in love with two teenage assassins, who guide him through the underworld of the city, exposing him to the brutal realities of life in a place where human life has lost all value. The story is a bleak commentary on the devastating effects of drug trafficking and political corruption on society.
The 3320th greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 95
This book was first published in 1994
2 Lists
- score: 74 -- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die - 2006 (Weight: 180)
- score: 52 -- 100 Best Novels Written in Spanish in the Past 25 Years - 2007 (Weight: 110)