Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Weekend in Guatemala
Historical Fiction· Guatemala

Weekend in Guatemala

by Miguel Ángel Asturias
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1956Spanish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Few works of historical fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that Weekend in Guatemala (1956) by Miguel Ángel Asturias continues to receive. Weekend in Guatemala is a collection of stories by Miguel Ángel Asturias that captures the tumultuous period of the 1954 CIA-backed coup in Guatemala. Through a series of interconnected narratives, Asturias provides a poignant critique of foreign intervention and its devastating effects on the nation. The work is significant for its historical context and its exploration of themes of power and resistance. Themes of foreign intervention, political upheaval, resistance run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorMiguel Ángel Asturias
Published1956
Country of Origin🇬🇹 Guatemala
LanguageSpanish
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇬🇹 Guatemala

This book is part of Guatemala's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Guatemala →

Editorial Assessment

Weekend in Guatemala presents a vivid exploration of the sociopolitical landscape of Guatemala through the lens of a weekend escape. Asturias' use of surrealism and rich, evocative imagery enhances the narrative, reflecting themes of power, identity, and the struggle against tyranny. This novella is significant not only for its artistic style but also for its poignant commentary on the complexities of Guatemalan life during a time of political upheaval, making it a critical piece in Latin American literature.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from multiple independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
✍️
About the Author
Miguel Ángel Asturias
Guatemala
View Author →

Miguel Ángel Asturias is a Guatemala author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

Happy Children
The Parenting Companion
Happy Children
What Evolution Actually Built Your Child’s Emotions For
Your child’s emotions are not the problem. They are the operating system.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Tin Drum
literary-fiction

The Tin Drum

Günter Grass· 1999
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score98/100
Cover of Celestial Bodies
literary-fiction

Celestial Bodies

Jokha Alharthi· 2010
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score93/100
Cover of A Brief History of Seven Killings
literary-fiction

A Brief History of Seven Killings

Marlon James· 2015
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score89/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Weekend in Guatemala about?

Weekend in Guatemala is a collection of stories by Miguel Ángel Asturias that captures the tumultuous period of the 1954 CIA-backed coup in Guatemala. Through a series of interconnected narratives, Asturias provides a poignant critique of foreign intervention and its devastating effects on the nation. The work is significant for its historical context and its exploration of themes of power and resistance.

Who wrote Weekend in Guatemala?

Weekend in Guatemala was written by Miguel Ángel Asturias, from Guatemala. First published in 1956.

What awards has Weekend in Guatemala won?

Weekend in Guatemala has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Weekend in Guatemala worth reading?

Weekend in Guatemala is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in foreign intervention, political upheaval, resistance.

Where can I buy Weekend in Guatemala?

You can buy Weekend in Guatemala on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Weekend in Guatemala?

Weekend in Guatemala is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is Weekend in Guatemala from?

Weekend in Guatemala originates from Guatemala's literary tradition. Explore more books from Guatemala on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🗺️More Historical FictionBrowse all Historical Fiction books🇬🇹Books from Guatemala🇬🇹 Guatemala literature📅1950s BooksPublished in the 1950s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time