Picaresque Traces in a Narrative of Death, Sex, and Abundant Music: 35 Muertos by Sergio Álvarez

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Portada de la Revista de Estudios Colombianos, número 65 (enero-junio de 2025). La imagen muestra una pintura en estilo acuarela de una escena festiva con bailarinas afrocolombianas vestidas de blanco, girando en medio de una danza tradicional. Al fondo, hay una arquitectura colonial de tonos azulados y personas observando la escena. En la parte superior de la portada aparece el título de la revista, el número del volumen, el período de publicación y el nombre de la organización editora: “Asociación de Colombianistas”. También se indica el ISSN 2474-6819 (Online).
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Published: Aug 1, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53556/k99gaw04
Keywords:
picaresque, violence, sex, music, corruption

Main Article Content

Andrés Aluma-Cazorla

Abstract

Abstract


This article examines the novel 35 muertos (2012) through a neo-picaresque narrative that portrays Colombia's violence from 1965 to 1999 across 82 vignettes. With a carnivalesque and colloquial tone, the work blends death, sex, and music to recount stories of victims, betrayal, and corruption. Its neutral stance and use of humor to mitigate brutality create an anesthetizing effect that amplifies the impact of the depicted violent events.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 65 (2025): Colombia Celebrates
Section
Articles
Author Biography

Andrés Aluma-Cazorla

Andrés Aluma studied Social Communication at the University of Azuay, Cuenca-Ecuador. He received a Ph.D. in Hispanic Cultural Studies from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He is currently Director of the Department of Latin American Studies and Foreign Language at Connecticut State College-Norwalk, CT, USA