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In Praise of the Stepmother
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Wikipedia article
'In Praise of the Stepmother' is an erotic novel by Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010. Published in 1988, it is about a sexually open couple whose fantasies lead them to the edge of morality.
The book is dedicated to Spanish film director Luis Garca Berlanga. The English translation published in 1990 was done by Helen Lane.
Story
Lucrecia and Rigoberto are an upper middle class married couple. On the outside, they look like an average Peruvian couple of their social class. However, they have a rich and open sexual relationship that enriches their life. Their openness with sexuality, however, turns dangerous when Lucrecia starts a relationship with her pre-teen stepson, Fonchito, which ultimately leads to the unraveling of the marriage.
Main themes
This is a book of the erotic novel genre that reflects on the meaning of happiness, sexual morality, and the loss of innocence. It incorporates essays and poetry into the narrative.[http://revistas.ucm.es/fll/02104547/articulos/ALHI9494110315A.PDF Hernn Snchez: 'Erotismo, cultura y poder en "El elogio de la Madrastra" de Mario Vargas Llosa.'] Anales de literatura hispanoamericana, numero 23, Editorial Complutense, Madrid, 1994. Consultado el 1-10-2010
[http://www.lecturalia.com/libro/511/elogio-de-la-madrastra Lecturalia: 'Elogio de la madrastra'.] Consultado el 1-10-2010
It also has vivid descriptions and analysis of famous art representing erotic scenes, in particular from the Peruvian painter Fernando de Szyszlo and the Flemish master Jacob Jordaens.
Main characters
*Don Rigoberto Husband of Lucrecia and father of Alfonsito (Fonchito),
*Doa Lucrecia Second wife of Rigoberto and stepmother of Alfonsito,
*Alfonsito (Fonchito) Son of Don Rigoberto,
*Justiniana Domestic Employee
Related books
In 1997 Vargas Llosa published Notebooks of Don Rigoberto, a follow up novel that also belongs to the erotic novel genre.[http://www.lecturalia.com/libro/512/los-cuadernos-de-don-rigoberto Lecturalia: Los cuadernos de Don Rigoberto.] Consultado el 1-10-2010
[http://sololiteratura.com/var/rigo.html Sololiteratura: Los cuadernos de Don Rigoberto] . Consultado el 1-10-2010
References
Category:1988 novels
Category:Erotic novels
Category:Novels by Mario Vargas Llosa
Category:Sexuality and age
Category:Novels set in Lima
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