You Dreamed of Empires

A Novel

By: Álvaro Enrigue, Natasha Wimmer - translator

Narrated by: Gabriel Porras

"Enrigue’s genius lies in his ability to bring readers close to its tangled knot of priests, mercenaries, warriors and princesses while adding a pinch of biting humor."—Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Los Angeles Times

“Riotously entertaining... A triumph of solemnity-busting erudition and mischievous invention that will delight and titillate.”—Financial Times

From the visionary author of Sudden Death, a hallucinatory, revelatory colonial revenge story.

One morning in 1519, conquistador Hernán Cortés enters the city of Tenochtitlan–today's Mexico City. Later that day, he will meet the emperor Moctezuma in a collision of two worlds, two empires, two languages, two possible futures.

Cortés is accompanied by his captains, his troops, his prized horses, and his two translators: Friar Aguilar, a taciturn friar, and Malinalli, an enslaved, strategic Nahua princess. After nearly bungling their entrance to the city, the Spaniards are greeted at a ceremonial welcome meal by the steely Aztec princess Atotoxtli, sister and wife of Moctezuma. As they await their meeting with the emperor–who is at a political and spiritual crossroads, and relies on hallucinogens to get by–Cortés and his entourage are ensconced in the labyrinthine palace. Soon, one of Cortés’s captains, Jazmín Caldera, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the place, begins to question the ease with which they were welcomed into the city, and wonders at the chances of getting out alive, much less conquering the empire. And what if... they don't?

You Dreamed of Empires brings Tenochtitlan to life at its height, and reimagines its destiny. The incomparably original Álvaro Enrigue sets afire the moment of conquest and turns it into a moment of revolution, a restitutive, fantastical counterattack, in a novel so electric and so unique that it feels like a dream.

©2024 Alvaro Enrigue (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[S]hort, strange, spiky and sublime. It’s a historical novel, a great speckled bird of a story, set in 1519 in what is now Mexico City. Empires are in collision and the vibe is hallucinatory.... Enrigue, who is clearly a major talent, has delivered a humane comedy of manners that is largely about paranoia (is today the day my head will be lopped off?) and the quotidian bummers of life, even if you are powerful beyond belief.' —Dwight Garner, New York Times

"An alternate history of Mexican conquest, with a Tarantino-ready twist.... Deliciously gonzo.... Rendered in earthy, demotic, wryly unhistorical English by translator Natasha Wimmer... Enrigue’s antic style is high-minded, richly detailed, vulgar and sophisticated all at once—reminiscent of the films of Peter Greenaway or Derek Jarman." —Washington Post

"[A] story built on what-ifs.... In his hallucinatory prose, anything could happen." —Los Angeles Review of Books

Revenge by storytelling

Satisfying revisited history of the encounter between Montezuma and Cortes. Very beautiful storytelling that gives justice to mesoamerican civilizations over the western colonizers. Lovely incorporation of culinary symbols, psychedelic ceremonies, and vibrant decorative elements.

Increíble

Enrigue speaks directly to the heart and soul and captivates the reader from the very start . The narrator’s style, pacing, and emphasis add a richness to the incredible text. A text that feels like a second skin and elicits a sense of pride for Mexico and for Mexicans everywhere. The blending of languages helps the reader to appreciate the encounters amongst the tremendous personalities of this story. I await the next book in this series and a movie adaptation!! 10/10

A dream with in a dream

What a trip. You are apart of someone’s dream wither you know it or not

The world and atmosphere.

Loved the pacing. Found the many perspectives at times challenging. Overall this was an incredible account of a fascinating period in history.

Aztec meets Castaneda …

A very different story of the “conquest” from an interesting viewpoint … sort of a surreal history in an updated mode of writing. Very enjoyable.

Exceptional

The story was fantastic and the narration was phenomenal. What a treat all around! Definitely a book where listening will give you an even better experience.

hearing the language

needed a visual list of names to understand all the players. characters. but still a delight

Fascinating and difficult to follow.

I liked the story, and at the same time, it was difficult to follow. The names of characters were all unfamiliar and difficult to keep straight. This was further complicated by the narrator’s fairly strong accent. I would buy a kindle copy if it was available, and think it would help. A PDF of characters and relationships would have helped too. At this point, I’m worn out by trying to track what’s going on and suspending my listen.

Confusing and Difficult to Understand

This story was confusing and the performer’s accent was difficult to understand as a non-Spanish speaking listener.

The book is full of horrible and old stereotypes on the Aztec

This book is an exaggerated repetition of the Aztec’s stereotypes and false assumptions. In addition, the writer who writes from an Euro-ethnocentrism, categorized the Aztec leaders as simple and stupid drug addicts and blood-thirst. I hated this book