This short, humorous novel (219 pages) takes place on one day, the day in 1519 when Cortés enters Tenochtitlan, capitol city of the Triple Alliance (now known as the Aztec Empire), at the invitation of Moctezuma, the huey tlatoani (emperor), with his troops, translators, and horses. This is an imaginitive alternative history, or what Michael Moorcock calls "fictional history," as opposed to historical fiction, though some of the particulars did actually happen.
The main story involves Moctezuma's court -- the Spanish characters are secondary. The main, and most sympathetic, of the Spaniards (the Caxtilteca) is Jazmín Caldera, the expedition's main investor. The main, and most sympathetic of the Tenochca is Tlilpotonqui, cihuacoatl (mayor) of the city. Atotoxtli, the empress -- sister and wife of Moctezuma -- also plays a major role.
A great example of the humor can be found in the names given to the elder Councillors, like He Who Looses the Rain of Words and Governs the Songs Lest We Be Like the Flowers and Bees That Last But a Few Days. Toward the end, Moctezuma pays a visit to the Great Temple, stoned out of his mind on mushrooms. As he meets with the high priest he hears a T. Rex song and dances along. The priest, also dosed, hears it too: "...he bent his magic powers of hearing to the music and caught the sexy crooning of Marc Bolan" (177). There is a running joke, and mystery, about "the story of the ant."
What will happen to the Caxtilteca, who seem to be prisoners? What about the huge army waiting outside the gate, composed of enemies of the Triple Alliance? Enrigue masterfully keeps the reader guessing, and concludes the novel with a dazzling finale.
*** *** ***
There is no reason for confusion over the Nahuatl names. The author provides a list of characters with their names, nicknames, and roles. Any reader who has read a novel before will be prepared for the third person narrator to move from one of these characters to another, it is very clear.
Add Prime
to get Fast, Free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more
Frequently bought together
This item: You Dreamed of Empires: A Novel
$16.05
Get it as soon as Friday, May 2
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
+
$19.65
Get it as soon as Friday, May 2
In Stock
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
More items to explore
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Popular Highlights in this book
If there’s anything Spaniards and Mexicans have always agreed upon, it’s that nobody is less qualified to govern than the government itself.Highlighted by 344 Kindle readers- To those who lived in the towns around the lake, the residents of the island at its center—Mehxicoh—were Mexica. The islet inhabitants themselves identified as Tenochca, the descendants of Tenoch. The English historians of the nineteenth century, who really had no clue, would call them Aztecs to solve the problem, and it stuck.Highlighted by 235 Kindle readers
- There was something terrifyingly beautiful about a whole country agreeing to make its capital punctual above all things; choosing to live a geometric and foreshortened life in a canyon of straight lines where everyone followed a common choreography seemingly taught by some artist rather than resulting from chance, luck, or the trauma of history.Highlighted by 230 Kindle readers
- It never occurred to them, of course, that half the sauces of the dishes they had just eaten were moderately hallucinogenic, and thus their delectable sense of relaxation was in truth a welcome to the esoteric between-place where the Colhua permanently resided.Highlighted by 207 Kindle readers
- The pipiltin, civilian and military, carried little bunches of flowers, which they constantly brought to their noses, the delicacy of the gesture in contrast with the lunatic bellicosity of their attire. The conquistadores deemed it a charming custom, never thinking to associate it with their own reek.Highlighted by 176 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
![Genius... [with] a pinch of biting humor, says Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Los Angeles Times](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/aplus-media-library-service-media/1af3122a-a798-4793-b977-8c9713cd83a2.__CR0,0,970,300_PT0_SX970_V1___.jpg)
About the author
A brilliant and hilarious alternative history
This short, humorous novel (219 pages) takes place on one day, the day in 1519 when Cortés enters Tenochtitlan, capitol city of the Triple Alliance (now known as the Aztec Empire), at the invitation of Moctezuma, the huey tlatoani (emperor), with his troops, translators, and horses. This is an imaginitive alternative history, or what Michael Moorcock calls "fictional history," as opposed to historical fiction, though some of the particulars did actually happen. The main story involves Moctezuma's court -- the Spanish characters are secondary. The main, and most sympathetic, of the Spaniards (the Caxtilteca) is Jazmín Caldera, the expedition's main investor. The main, and most sympathetic of the Tenochca is Tlilpotonqui, cihuacoatl (mayor) of the city. Atotoxtli, the empress -- sister and wife of Moctezuma -- also plays a major role. A great example of the humor can be found in the names given to the elder Councillors, like He Who Looses the Rain of Words and Governs the Songs Lest We Be Like the Flowers and Bees That Last But a Few Days. Toward the end, Moctezuma pays a visit to the Great Temple, stoned out of his mind on mushrooms. As he meets with the high priest he hears a T. Rex song and dances along. The priest, also dosed, hears it too: "...he bent his magic powers of hearing to the music and caught the sexy crooning of Marc Bolan" (177). There is a running joke, and mystery, about "the story of the ant." What will happen to the Caxtilteca, who seem to be prisoners? What about the huge army waiting outside the gate, composed of enemies of the Triple Alliance? Enrigue masterfully keeps the reader guessing, and concludes the novel with a dazzling finale. *** *** *** There is no reason for confusion over the Nahuatl names. The author provides a list of characters with their names, nicknames, and roles. Any reader who has read a novel before will be prepared for the third person narrator to move from one of these characters to another, it is very clear.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
This short, humorous novel (219 pages) takes place on one day, the day in 1519 when Cortés enters Tenochtitlan, capitol city of the Triple Alliance (now known as the Aztec Empire), at the invitation of Moctezuma, the huey tlatoani (emperor), with his troops, translators, and horses. This is an imaginitive alternative history, or what Michael Moorcock calls "fictional history," as opposed to historical fiction, though some of the particulars did actually happen.
A brilliant and hilarious alternative history
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
The main story involves Moctezuma's court -- the Spanish characters are secondary. The main, and most sympathetic, of the Spaniards (the Caxtilteca) is Jazmín Caldera, the expedition's main investor. The main, and most sympathetic of the Tenochca is Tlilpotonqui, cihuacoatl (mayor) of the city. Atotoxtli, the empress -- sister and wife of Moctezuma -- also plays a major role.
A great example of the humor can be found in the names given to the elder Councillors, like He Who Looses the Rain of Words and Governs the Songs Lest We Be Like the Flowers and Bees That Last But a Few Days. Toward the end, Moctezuma pays a visit to the Great Temple, stoned out of his mind on mushrooms. As he meets with the high priest he hears a T. Rex song and dances along. The priest, also dosed, hears it too: "...he bent his magic powers of hearing to the music and caught the sexy crooning of Marc Bolan" (177). There is a running joke, and mystery, about "the story of the ant."
What will happen to the Caxtilteca, who seem to be prisoners? What about the huge army waiting outside the gate, composed of enemies of the Triple Alliance? Enrigue masterfully keeps the reader guessing, and concludes the novel with a dazzling finale.
*** *** ***
There is no reason for confusion over the Nahuatl names. The author provides a list of characters with their names, nicknames, and roles. Any reader who has read a novel before will be prepared for the third person narrator to move from one of these characters to another, it is very clear.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2025
- Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2025
Top reviews from other countries
-
- thomas fritzReviewed in Germany on January 28, 2025
dreamlike novel with an alternative twist
-
