31 pages • 1 hour read
Alejo CarpentierThe Kingdom Of This World
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1949A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Kingdom of This World, written by Alejo Carpentier and originally published in 1949, traces events in 20th-century Haiti, beginning in the French colonial period and stretching through the lifetime of its protagonist, Ti Noël. This novella is a work of dark magical realism and tells the story of two attempted rebellions against the French, the eventual reign of King Henri Christophe, the nation’s first Black king, and his downfall. The human costs of slavery (under white and Black slave-owners), as well as the hopes and beliefs of Africans living in Haiti during these regime changes, is shown from Ti Noël’s perspective.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Alejo Carpentier's The Kingdom of This World masterfully intertwines magical realism with historical context, set against the backdrop of the Haitian Revolution. Critics praise its lyrical prose and rich cultural depiction, though some find the narrative structure challenging. Ultimately, it stands out for its vivid storytelling and profound thematic exploration.
Who Should Read The Kingdom Of This World?
A reader who would enjoy The Kingdom of This World by Alejo Carpentier appreciates magical realism and historical narratives. They are fans of Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits, enjoying richly detailed settings and the blend of myth and reality.