The Feast of the Goat

Book Review

"The Feast of the Goat" by Mario Vargas Llosa is a novel in which history takes on flesh and blood, and dictatorship appears not as an abstract concept but as a living, tormenting experience. The book plunges the reader into the dark depths of Trujillo's regime in the Dominican Republic, where fear and violence are an inseparable part of daily life. Llosa masterfully weaves together three storylines, allowing us to see events through the eyes of victim, executioner, and witness, creating a multifaceted portrait of an era. Critics praise the author's delicate handling of character psychology, the authenticity of historical detail, and the tense atmosphere that permeates every page. The language of the novel is rich, vivid, filled with inner drama and tragedy, and the narrative keeps the reader in constant suspense, never allowing indifference. "The Feast of the Goat" is not only a political novel but also a profound exploration of human nature, power, and memory—a work that leaves a bitter aftertaste and compels reflection on the price of freedom and responsibility.