Super Short Summary

In Gabriel García Márquez’s novella, The Incredible and Sad Tale of Innocent Erendira and Her Heartless Grandmother, teenage Erendira lives with her demanding grandmother in a Latin American village, endlessly serving her until a tragic accident leaves them homeless. The grandmother forces Erendira into prostitution to repay the cost of their lost home. Ultimately, a young man’s love for Erendira leads to her escape, though the story refuses a traditional “happily ever after.” The novella contains descriptions of sexual exploitation and abuse.