The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa chronicles the final days of Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship over the Dominican Republic from the perspectives of his assassins in 1961, Trujillo himself on his last day, and Urania Cabral in the 1990s, who returns home after years abroad and reflects on her family's complicity in the regime's horrors and struggles with reconciling her traumatic past. The novel contains sensitive topics including sexual violence and dictatorship atrocities.

The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa is lauded for its riveting portrayal of Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. Critics praise Vargas Llosa's intricate narrative and historical depth. However, some find the graphic depictions of violence unsettling. Overall, it's a compelling exploration of power and corruption under a brutal regime.

Readers who enjoy historical political dramas with complex characters and intense narratives will find The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa captivating. Fans of Gabriel García Márquez's The Autumn of the Patriarch or Isabel Allende's In the Midst of Winter will appreciate its rich storytelling and exploration of power and corruption.

Dark / Mysterious / Gritty / Suspenseful / Challenging

- The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa is a novel inspired by the real-life dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic, blending historical events with fictional narratives.
- The book was shortlisted for the 2001 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, one of the world's most renowned literary prizes.
- The title, "The Feast of the Goat," refers symbolically to one of Trujillo's numerous sobriquets, the "Goat," highlighting his notorious and tyrannical rule.

**Urania Cabral**  
A fictional lawyer with the World Bank, daughter of Agustín Cabral, who left her family in the Dominican Republic at age 14. She has since led a solitary life focused on intellectual pursuits.

**Senator Agustín Cabral**  
Urania's father, a disgraced fictional high-ranking Trujillo government official, known for his loyalty to Trujillo. His actions and persona are largely revealed through other characters' perspectives.

**The Cabral Family**  
The fictional family of Urania Cabral, who remain in the Dominican Republic. They struggle to understand Urania's decision to cut ties with them.

**Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Modina**  
The real historical figure who ruled the Dominican Republic from 1930 to 1961. Known as a demanding dictator, he prioritized loyalty and strength, facing both political and personal challenges.

**Colonel Johnny Abbes García**  
The head of Trujillo's secret police, known for his ruthlessness. He was a key figure in Trujillo’s regime before receiving a “golden exile.”

**Senator Henry Chirinos**  
A fictional character based on a real-life figure, known for his intelligence and political savvy. He was a close but competitive associate of Agustín Cabral.

**President Joaquín Balaguer**  
A real historical figure, Trujillo’s puppet president, known for his quiet intelligence and strategic navigation through political changes.

**Manuel Alfonso**  
A fictional ambassador for the Dominican Republic and a trusted friend of Trujillo. He advises Trujillo on lifestyle matters.

**The Assassins**  
A group of individuals involved in the plot to assassinate Trujillo, each with their own motivations and connections to Trujillo’s regime. They face varying fates after their involvement in the assassination.

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Chapters 1-3

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Chapters 7-9

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Chapters 16-18

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Chapters 19-22

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