WORLD LITERARY ATLASBOOKS WITHOUT BORDERS · 2026
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Americas · A READING GUIDE

Paraguay

Roa Bastos offers an entry into Paraguay’s history through dictatorship, exploitation and memories of the Chaco War. Alongside two novels, Polish readers can explore the story selection Kurupi i inne opowiadania. Ferrer turns attention to women’s identity and violence concealed in intimate relationships. This starting point contains four verified books by two authors and needs further expansion. The selection also includes Rafael Barrett, a Spanish-born essayist whose work in Paraguay strongly influenced its literature.

WHERE TO STARTExplore the selection ↓

Books to begin with

An editorial selection · not ranked

Augusto Roa Bastos

I the Supreme

About the book

José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia and his secretary engage in a dialogue about power, truth and history.

Original title: Yo el Supremo

EnglishTranslation

I the Supreme

Vintage

Translated by Helen Lane

Edition source ↗
Edition cover: Syn człowieczy — Augusto Roa Bastos
Polish edition

Augusto Roa Bastos

Syn człowieczy

About the book

The history of Paraguayan communities moves from labour exploitation to the Chaco War.

Original title: Hijo de hombre

PolishTranslation

Syn człowieczy

Wydawnictwo Literackie

Translated by Zygmunt Wojski

Edition source ↗

Augusto Roa Bastos

Kurupi i inne opowiadania

About the book

This Polish story selection explores violence, memory and the individual’s entanglement in society.

PolishTranslation

Kurupi i inne opowiadania

Wydawnictwo Literackie

Translated by Andrzej Nowak

Edition source ↗

Renée Ferrer

The Knots of Silence

About the book

Three people’s encounter in a Paris nightclub exposes memories, women’s subordination and concealed violence.

Original title: Los nudos del silencio

EnglishTranslation

The Knots of Silence

University Press of the South

Translated by Betsy Partyka

Edition source ↗
Edition cover: Paraguayan Sorrow — Rafael Barrett
English edition

Rafael Barrett

Paraguayan Sorrow

About the book

The Spanish-born writer closely associated with Paraguay describes workers’ exploitation, poverty and colonial dependencies.

EnglishTranslation

Paraguayan Sorrow

Monthly Review Press

Edition source ↗

Augusto Roa Bastos

The Prosecutor

About the book

An exile’s return to Paraguay becomes a reckoning with dictatorship and the right to judge and seek revenge.

EnglishTranslation

The Prosecutor

Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

Edition source ↗
Context and sources

Sources on authors and their connections to this country. Specific edition details appear beside each book. Polish and English originals are not labelled as translations.

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