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Signs Preceding the End of the World

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About this listen

Winner of the 2016 Best Translated Book Award.

Featured in The Guardian's 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.

Signs Preceding the End of the World is one of the most arresting novels published in Spanish in the last 10 years. Yuri Herrera does not simply write about the border between Mexico and the United States and those who cross it. He explores the crossings and translations people make in their minds and language as they move from one country to another, especially when there's no going back.

Traversing this lonely territory is Makina, a young woman who knows only too well how to survive in a violent, macho world. Leaving behind her life in Mexico to search for her brother, she is smuggled into the USA carrying a pair of secret messages - one from her mother and one from the Mexican underworld.

©2015 Lisa Dillman (P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Metaphysical & Visionary United States World Literature Latin American Mexico
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I had to read this for my degree. otherwise would never have gotten past this book.
It actively doesn't know what it wants to be. Once the main character finished her first quest, it's such an anti climax I don't care.
Then the second part just bored me to tears and seemed nonsensical

Strange

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Rodriguez’s narration was superb. Loved the translator’s note at the end. A brilliant central character, Makina, a young Mexican woman, and a searing exploration of imperialism, borders and the perils of assimilation.

Excellent, timely and deeply human

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