75 pages • 2 hours read
Signs Preceding the End of the World
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Book Brief
128
Novel • Fiction
Mexico • Contemporary
2009
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera follows Makina, who navigates perilous terrain to find her brother, crossing from South to North. Along the way, she faces threats, helps others, and ultimately finds her brother, who has assumed a new identity. She then embarks on her own transformation, leaving behind her past life to embrace a new identity in an unfamiliar land. The book contains strong language, violence, sexual harassment, and racism.
Mysterious
Dark
Contemplative
Melancholic
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
15,406 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Yuri Herrera’s Signs Preceding the End of the World is lauded for its poetic prose and evocative narrative, vividly capturing themes of migration and identity. Critics appreciate its brevity and depth, though some find the symbolism heavy-handed and the plot too abstract. Overall, it's a thought-provoking, richly imagined work that resonates with contemporary issues.
Who Should Read Signs Preceding the End of the World?
Readers who enjoy Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera typically appreciate thought-provoking, lyrical narratives that delve into themes of migration, identity, and transformation. Fans of Roberto Bolaño's The Savage Detectives or Junot Díaz's The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao will find this novella captivating.
15,406 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Makina’s Brother
Makina’s Brother
A character who ventures North seeking inheritance, finding himself in a complicated situation that reflects his struggle with identity and belonging.
Chucho
Chucho
A wiry and strong man who assists Makina on her journey, embodying loyalty and resilience, with metaphorical links to Aztec mythology.
Cora
Cora
A comforting and protective figure in Makina's life, influential within Little Town's community, and supportive of her children's well-being.
Mr. Aitch
Mr. Aitch
A top-dog in Little Town who runs a pulque bar and becomes involved in Makina's journey with complex ties to political corruption and personal motives.
Mr. Double-U
Mr. Double-U
A top-dog with a positive relationship with Makina due to past assistance from her mother, operating from a Turkish bath in Little Town.
Mr. Q
Mr. Q
A precise and cryptic speaker among Little Town's top-dogs, involved in local political affairs and known for reading newspapers at his restaurant.
Mr. P
Mr. P
A former Little Town top-dog now operating in a stadium, who interacts with Makina during her mission to the North.
128
Novel • Fiction
Mexico • Contemporary
2009
Adult
18+ years
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