THE TIME OF THE HERO
by MARIO VARGAS LLOSA
Translated by Lysander Kemp
"The Time of the Hero" by Mario Vargas Llosa is one of his most acclaimed and enduring novels.
Originally published in 1963 under the Spanish title La ciudad y los perros ("The City and the Dogs"), a large part of the story takes place at the Leoncio Prado Military Academy in Lima, the capital of Peru. The academy serves as a small-scale model of society, and the novel explores human and social relationships, corruption, and violence within a military setting.
If we imagine Latin American literature as a grand structure supported by four pillars, Mario Vargas Llosa (Peru) undoubtedly stands alongside other literary giants such as
Gabriel García Márquez (Colombia),
Jorge Luis Borges (Argentina), and
Pablo Neruda (Chile)
as one of its foundational figures.
The Swedish Academy awarded Vargas Llosa the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010 for “his cartography of power structures and his trenchant images of the individual’s resistance, revolt, and defeat.” The committee praised his ability to weave complex narratives that examine society, politics, and human nature.
Vargas Llosa spent part of his life in the military and also served his country, Peru, as a politician. These experiences added depth and richness to this novel. In one passage, Lieutenant Gamboa reflects: “He would be a lieutenant for years and years. Unless, of course, he had political connections.” This line powerfully hints at how corruption affects both the military and politics, shaping the lives of those within it.
Each chapter of the book is like a piece of a puzzle, and the reader gets closer to completing the picture with every page. At times, the reader must mentally rearrange the pieces to fully understand the story. The novel follows the lives of several young men from different parts of Peru who enroll in the military academy because their parents believe it will “make them real men.”
Most of these boys come from rural areas, are of mixed ethnic backgrounds, and come from poor families. This belief—that military service makes boys into men—was also widespread in Iran and is still held by many to this day.
Upon arrival at the Leoncio Prado Military Academy, the cadets face an “initiation” process marked by harsh and humiliating rituals. These practices aim to prepare and condition the newcomers for a strict, hierarchical, and often brutal environment. One unique aspect of life in such all-male military settings is the use of nicknames—some meant to humiliate, others to praise. Even groups are given nicknames. For example, in this book, first-year students are called "dogs." In comparison, in Iran, they’re called “leftovers” or “scraps,” which is arguably a little less harsh.
The novel introduces many characters, but a few play central roles:
-
Jaguar is a rebellious, aggressive youth who tries to dominate the group. Over time, events at the academy lead him to a transformation and greater self-awareness.
-
Alberto, nicknamed the Poet, dreams of becoming a writer. He is rational and compassionate. His friend Arana’s fate pushes him to stand against the injustice and cruelty within the academy.
-
Ricardo Arana, nicknamed the Slave, is a quiet, isolated boy who suffers bullying, insults, and threats, particularly from Jaguar and his gang. The way he is treated reflects the brutal reality of military life and the shifting nature of power.
-
Lieutenant Gamboa is an honest and disciplined officer who genuinely wants to reform the academy and make it a true place of learning and development.
Although the story unfolds in an all-boys military setting, one female character, Teresa, plays a smaller but meaningful role in the lives of Ricardo, Alberto, and Jaguar.
Many forms of misconduct—especially gambling, alcohol use, and sneaking over the academy walls—are common among the students, seemingly unnoticed by the senior officers. However, the theft of the chemistry exam papers triggers a series of tragic events that drive the novel’s central conflict.
Thanks to talented translators like Abdollah Kowsari, the Iranian literary community is well-acquainted with the works of Vargas Llosa and other Latin American authors. One of Kowsari’s most notable translations is The Feast of the Goat, which tells the story of Dominican dictator Trujillo’s downfall.
