It's early autumn in 1519 in the metropolitan area of Tenochtitlan, which will become Mexico City. The geometrical simple, civilization-rich cosmopolitan complex is one of the wonders of the world, although mostly unknown to any beyond the shores of its continent. That's about to change.
Hernán Cortés is on his way to town in Alvaro Enrique's You Dreamed of Empires, a short, fantastical and wondrous novel by the Mexican writer and professor.
Cortés and his ragtag group hardly look or act like conquerors. They are few in number, but armies have begun following them toward the capital. Some were sent to welcome them, some to keep an eye on them. Their numbers make the Spanish formidable.
At the emperor's new palace, named Casas Nuevas de Moctezuma, the ruler has seen better days. Now in middle age, which is ancient for his era, the emperor is far more interested in magic mushrooms supplied by the priest than he is in empire. His younger sister, who he has named his empress, is far more canny when it comes to politics and palace machinations.
Also more canny than Cortés is a young woman who serves as an interpreter and the subject on which he takes out his frustrations. Which is a polite way of saying he rapes her.
Both leaders are wrapped up in their heads and dreams of glory. Moctezuma sees the value in the horses the Spanish have brought. Cortés sees riches beyond anything his Spanish ruler has dreamed of. People in their councils are far more interested in noting the world around them, in noticing objects large and small, from the sights of the city from atop the palace to the sights and sounds of the open-air markets to the colors of the creatures in front of them.
The novel works toward Cortés and Moctezuma holding a council days after their initial meeting when the conquistador arrived at the palace. It is not necessary to go review history. In a way, what really happened is not the point.
What Enrigue is providing is stopping the movement of time to notice what those in charge of the great city see, hear and care about. It is a glimpse into both this special place in time and a look at the universality of day minutes, hours and days of how time goes by and, how without noticing its passage, years have gone by and an era has ended. The author credits Borges for the way he does this. And when it happens, it's one of those "oh, I want to read faster but also want to go back and read all this more slowly" moment.
You Dreamed of Empires is a grand introduction to Enrigue's work. His earlier work, Sudden Death, also has been translated into English. Translations of his other work would be welcome. Natasha Wimmer, who also has translated work by Bolano, would be the person to do that, as her work here is sublime.
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