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THE SLAUGHTERYARD [Library of Lost Books edition] Paperback – 27 May 2010

3.9 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
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The first English translation of an Argentinean classic.

Argentina, 1839. A young man dies for his political beliefs when attacked by a mob in a slaughteryard used to butcher cattle.

The story takes place at the height of Juan Manuel de Rosas’ reign of terror. Though fictional, it is an open indictment of that brutal regime and the first masterwork of Latin-American literature, orginally published twenty years after the author’s death. El matadero, or The Slaughteryard, is reputed to be the most widely studied school text in Spanish-speaking South America.

Available now for the first time in a modern English translation this is a story that in well over a century has lost none of its freshness and popularity. This edition is the fruit of years of research into little-known corners of Argentine literature and history, including an extensive glossary, the story’s rare first printed version, and an appendix of reports by early English travellers to the River Plate, including Charles Darwin.

This is an uncompromising and unforgettable story of huge force and power which richly deserves a wide English-speaking audience.

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  1. ISBN-10
    0007346735
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0007346738
  3. Edition
    Library of Lost Books edition
  4. Publisher
    The Friday Project
  5. Publication date
    27 May 2010
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    2.79 x 10.92 x 17.53 cm
  8. Print length
    200 pages
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Product description

Review

‘Some writers are enshrined in literary history, a few in literature itself. Echeverria belongs in the ranks of both’ JORGE LUIS BORGES

About the Author

Born in Buenos Aires in 1805, Esteban Echeverria was a poet and moral thinker who, owing to his uncompromising ideals, was forced into a long, militant exile in Uruguay. He died there, in penury, in 1851.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Friday Project
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 27 May 2010
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Library of Lost Books edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0007346735
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0007346738
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 159 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 2.79 x 10.92 x 17.53 cm
  • Best Sellers Rank: 2,460,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
19 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's introduction insightful. They appreciate the story length, with one customer noting it's suitable for Latin-American novel enthusiasts.

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ContextStory length
3 customers mention ‘Context’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the introduction of the book, with one noting the helpful glossary that provides context.

"...In addition, the introduction is very insightful into the context of the novel by giving a good insight into the mind of the author as well as the..." Read more

"...The story is surrounded by an introduction, a glossary, and some other material that's usual in providing a context, and also adds value...." Read more

"...The glossary provided a lot of context, which really helped when I was analysing the text at university." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Story length’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the length of the book, with one describing it as a short story suitable for Latin-American novel enthusiasts.

"It is a short novel, so you can't get bored, and the translation version is a good one...." Read more

"...Overall, a interesting story that, being short, is well suited to the Kindle." Read more

"A short story for the Latin-American novel enthusiast..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • AD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 February 2013
    Verified Purchase
    It is a short novel, so you can't get bored, and the translation version is a good one.

    In addition, the introduction is very insightful into the context of the novel by giving a good insight into the mind of the author as well as the historical context behind him.

    Highly Recommend!
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  • Ian Hocking
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky allegory - short but well crafted
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 May 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I'd recommend this story chiefly as a portrait of the political troubles existing in Buenos Aires in the nineteenth century. But it's also a playful and disturbing allegory that stands alone. The story is surrounded by an introduction, a glossary, and some other material that's usual in providing a context, and also adds value.

    Overall, a interesting story that, being short, is well suited to the Kindle.
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  • H. Tee
    3.0 out of 5 stars A short story for the Latin-American novel enthusiast
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 December 2010
    Verified Purchase
    This is supposedly the most analysed Argentinian book; one of five classics of the period 1830s.

    It graphically depicts the life, language and people around an open yard slaughterhouse in 1810; the people within and the realism of the times. It is a ruthless indictment of the Rosa regime of the time, if it has been published early it would have been fatal to the author; the author had fled to Uruguay anyway. It is only 30 pages long and more a short story than even a novella; it culminates in the treatment (potential hanging, corn cobs up the arse etc) of a Federalist youth on meeting the barbarous Unitarians from the town/slaughteryard.

    The book is 10% introduction, 15% The Slaughteryard itself , 30% glossary of historical characters and history, 30% literary documents confirming the validity of the depictions (e.g. Darwin's diary), 15% acknowledgments.

    For a graphical tale of historical note, with the accompanying `padding', this is worth the quick read. I just felt there could have been so much more. I read the Kindle version and I think that's better value for money
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  • SL
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Slaughteryard
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 January 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Decent translation and it's great to have both the English and Spanish version together. The glossary provided a lot of context, which really helped when I was analysing the text at university.
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  • Curiosity Killed The Bookworm
    4.0 out of 5 stars Where the extras trump the feature
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 May 2011
    El Matadero is reputed to be one of the most studied texts in Spanish speaking South America. It's a fairly short story, only 32 pages once translated and details the events of a day at a Matadero, one the public slaughterhouses common in 19th century Argentina. The story paints a vivid picture of the culture at the time and the manic pace within the Matadero as well as having a political aspect.

    The real gem of this book is the accompanying appendixes and glossary which really hit home the reality of that political message. I haven't really had much exposure to Argentinian history and didn't know much more about the country than gauchos and a passion for football and polo. Like many countries, they have travelled a rocky path to get to where they are now, including a civil war between Unitarians and Federalists and a dictator running the country; Juan Manuel de Rosa. This book can describe the history much more eloquently than me, but the story of The Slaughteryard favours the Unitarians, something that would have got Echeverria into deep water if it had been discovered.

    The Accounts by Other Travellers includes passages from various travellers within the country between 1818 and 1863, including Charles Darwin. These accounts all describe the Mataderos from an outsider's point of view.

    I would really recommend it to anyone studying Spanish as a second language as it also contains the original text as well as a selection of poems. How often do you get both in one edition?

    A really interesting little book.

    I received a copy from the publishers for review however opinions are all my own.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Noah J.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Literary Elements Run Rich
    Reviewed in the United States on 12 September 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is the post-translational English version of the story. It's a dark one, but if you are a literary junkie who likes searching and delving further into literary elements and qualities, then this is for you! The English translation (this book) is perfect for aiding in understanding the more difficult Spanish version.
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  • J.A.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Don't go to Argentina in 1830
    Reviewed in the United States on 27 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Jeez, I'm glad I didn't live in Argentina in the 1830's. A frightening story about terrible brutality and corruption, and it's extremely grisly (not gristly -- that's meat). But your college political science class might find it enlightening, if you happen to teach one. (Although you'll have to give them a ''trigger warning'' because oooooh, they might get scared.)
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  • Paola Marchegiani
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book was a nice surprise for not only does it include the translation ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 20 April 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book was a nice surprise for not only does it include the translation of The Slaughteryard but also the original version in Spanish plus two other poems (The Slippery Dance is one of them) both in English and in Spanish. I didn't expect this edition to be so complete and thorough.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 19 November 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A classic w
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