Conversation in the Cathedral

Style and Technique

The style of «Conversation in the Cathedral» is striking in its multilayered complexity and intricate architecture: the narrative is constructed as a kaleidoscope of memories, dialogues, and inner monologues, where past and present are woven into a single fabric. The language is vivid, at times coarse, but always expressive, reflecting the social and cultural palette of mid-20th-century Peru. Vargas Llosa masterfully employs stream of consciousness, allowing the reader to delve into the depths of the characters’ emotional experiences, while the alternation of perspectives and time layers creates a sense of mosaic and inner tension. The author skillfully uses hidden montage: the characters’ lines and thoughts intertwine like threads in a tapestry, forming a complex yet cohesive composition. The structure of the novel resembles a labyrinth, where each episode is a fragment of a larger historical and human context, and language becomes a tool for mercilessly exposing social wounds and personal dramas.