By Night in Chile

Roberto Bolaño

64 pages 2-hour read

Roberto Bolaño

By Night in Chile

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 2000

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Book Brief

Roberto Bolaño

By Night in Chile

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 2000
Book Details
Pages

128

Format

Novella • Fiction

Genre
Latin American Literature

Historical Fiction

Literary Fiction
Setting

Chile • 20th century

Theme
Memory

Shame & Pride

Justice
Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Roberto Bolaño's novella By Night in Chile, Jesuit priest Father Sebastian Urrutia Lacroix, on his deathbed, recounts his life, revealing his internal conflict and moral failings during Pinochet's oppressive regime in Chile, intertwining his journey in the priesthood with his associations in the literary world, and his eventual complicity in societal and political transgressions.

Mysterious

Dark

Contemplative

Melancholic

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

4.1

14,192 ratings

70%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Roberto Bolaño's By Night in Chile is lauded for its poetic prose and insightful critique of Chile's political landscape. Critics praise its narrative structure and complex characters, though some find the dense, stream-of-consciousness style challenging. Overall, a compelling and thought-provoking read that offers profound reflections on history and morality.

Who should read this

Who Should Read By Night in Chile?

By Night in Chile by Roberto Bolaño appeals to readers who enjoy political intrigue, philosophical reflections, and literary sophistication. Similar to Gabriel García Márquez's The Autumn of the Patriarch and W.G. Sebald's Austerlitz, it captivates those interested in complex narratives and Latin American history.

4.1

14,192 ratings

70%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

A Jesuit priest and literary critic navigating the complexities of faith and literature in Chile's political landscape. His experiences and musings serve as the driving force of the story.

A spectral figure who challenges Urrutia with reminders of his past actions and complicity. He serves as a personification of Urrutia’s troubled conscience.

A renowned Chilean literary critic, depicted with upper-class status and influence. He acts as a mentor and represents an older literary generation.

Mysterious members of Opus Dei who involve Urrutia in a seemingly benign project with significant political implications. Their roles suggest outside influence and manipulation.

A socialite and writer hosting literary salons under a restrictive regime. Her actions and surroundings place her at the intersection of literature and political intrigue.

Book Details
Pages

128

Format

Novella • Fiction

Genre
Latin American Literature

Historical Fiction

Literary Fiction
Setting

Chile • 20th century

Theme
Memory

Shame & Pride

Justice
Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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