Álvaro Enrigue’s You Dreamed of Empires is a deeply imaginative and politically resonant work of historical fiction that explores the fateful encounter between the Spanish conquistadors, led by Hernán Cortés, and the Aztec civilization in 1519. Through a blend of historical events, philosophical reflections, and rich character development, Enrigue revisits this pivotal moment in history with a fresh perspective. What emerges is a novel that defies conventional storytelling, mixing history with literary innovation, offering a complex meditation on the collision of civilizations, colonialism, and the dynamics of power.

The novel is set against the backdrop of the Aztec Empire’s capital, Tenochtitlan, during the initial days of Cortés’s arrival. Enrigue doesn’t merely tell the story of Cortés’s conquest; instead, he places it within the framework of a daydream-like hallucination, a distorted mirror of history that invites readers to question the veracity of the historical record. The story’s timeline is fragmented, nonlinear, and surreal, blurring the lines between fact and fiction in ways that reflect the chaos and confusion of the encounter between the two cultures.

At its core, You Dreamed of Empires is about the tensions between the Spanish and the indigenous people. Enrigue gives voice to Moctezuma, the Aztec emperor, and his sister-wife, Atotoxtli, offering them complexity and depth far beyond what history typically attributes to them. Their experiences of culture, tradition, and sovereignty clash with the military and ideological ambitions of Cortés, who is depicted as both a man of ambition and a flawed, often deluded figure. The character of Cortés is nuanced and shaded with irony, and Enrigue uses his character to explore the folly and arrogance of colonialism.

The novel’s structure is kaleidoscopic, presenting multiple narratives that oscillate between different characters and events, reflecting the interconnectedness of these cultures. Enrigue’s prose is lush and vibrant, peppered with metaphors and layered meanings that add richness to the narrative. For example, the presence of dreams, hallucinations, and philosophical musings throughout the story highlights the disorientation and absurdity of empire-building. Enrigue challenges readers to consider the surreal and arbitrary aspects of colonial history. He even imagines Cortés and his fellow conquistadors as engaging in deep philosophical conversations, adding an element of absurdity and dark humor that reflects the farce of empire and conquest.

One of the novel’s most striking features is its blending of humor with tragedy. Enrigue doesn’t shy away from the brutal and devastating consequences of the Spanish conquest on indigenous peoples, but he delivers these heavy moments with wit and irony. His exploration of anti-colonial themes is not heavy-handed; instead, it unfolds through the absurdities and contradictions of the situation. This approach invites readers to think critically about how colonial narratives are shaped, how power is exercised, and how the story of empire is often told from the perspective of the conquerors.

In terms of critical reception, You Dreamed of Empires has been celebrated for its originality, inventive narrative style, and intellectual depth. Kirkus Reviews praised it as “an offbeat, well-turned riff on anti-colonialist themes,” describing the work as a “delirious historical fantasia” that both critiques and revels in the absurdities of colonial history. The Los Angeles Review of Books emphasized how the novel spins “a seductive tale,” inviting readers to reconsider the foundational myths of American history and the complex relationship between race, culture, and power. Critics also note Enrigue’s skill in mixing philosophical inquiries with compelling storytelling, offering a novel that is both challenging and rewarding.

One of the key elements of Enrigue’s writing is the philosophical undercurrent that runs through the book. He draws on historical material, and blends it with literary and philosophical references, inviting readers to think deeply about the impact of colonization. The philosophical dialogues that Cortés and Moctezuma engage in within the novel serve as a subtle critique of colonialism, questioning the very idea of empire as something rational or inevitable.

The surrealism of the novel serves to highlight the absurdity of the colonial enterprise. Enrigue’s You Dreamed of Empires is not a historical retelling but rather a work that interrogates history, explores its implications, and raises fundamental questions about the foundations of empire, the construction of racial hierarchies, and the power dynamics that shaped the modern world. The novel also stands as a bold, creative act of reimagining history that seeks to correct the imbalance of power in traditional narratives about colonialism.

In conclusion, You Dreamed of Empires is a deeply engaging and intellectually complex novel. It is a work that asks us to reconsider the ways in which history is told and invites us to see the colonial encounter not as a simple tale of conquest, but as a catastrophic collision of two distinct worlds, each with its own values, beliefs, and aspirations. Álvaro Enrigue’s novel is a timely and significant contribution to contemporary literature, and its unique voice and perspective will resonate with anyone interested in the intersections of history, power, and storytelling. Through a masterful blend of historical fiction, surrealism, and political critique, Enrigue offers a novel that challenges us to think critically about the past and its ongoing impact on the present.