In Praise of the Stepmother

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.

In Praise of the Stepmother
First edition (Spanish)
AuthorMario Vargas Llosa
Original titleElogio de la madastra
CountryPeru
LanguageSpanish
PublisherArango
Publication date
1988
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages198
Preceded byThe Storyteller 
Followed byDeath in the Andes 

The book is dedicated to Spanish film director Luis García 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.[1] [2] 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),
  • Doña Lucrecia – Second wife of Rigoberto and stepmother of Alfonsito,
  • Alfonsito (Fonchito) – Son of Don Rigoberto,
  • Justiniana – Domestic Employee

In 1997 Vargas Llosa published Notebooks of Don Rigoberto, a follow up novel that also belongs to the erotic novel genre.[3] [4]

References
  1. Hernán Sánchez: Erotismo, cultura y poder en "El elogio de la Madrastra" de Mario Vargas Llosa. Archived 2010-03-30 at the Wayback Machine Anales de literatura hispanoamericana, numero 23, Editorial Complutense, Madrid, 1994. Consultado el 1-10-2010
  2. Lecturalia: Elogio de la madrastra. Consultado el 1-10-2010
  3. Lecturalia: Los cuadernos de Don Rigoberto. Consultado el 1-10-2010
  4. Sololiteratura: Los cuadernos de Don Rigoberto Archived 2010-10-13 at the Wayback Machine. Consultado el 1-10-2010


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