Chile - Pedro The Vast - Simon Lopez Trujillo

How I found the Book:

31st Jan 2026:

Found whilst reading a 'most Anticipated science fiction books of 2026' on the new scientist web page. Usually these lists are pretty crappy, but this time it pulled up a gemstone, as I don't have a Chilean author on my radar, so it's always nice when one is delivered to me without much effort. I just need to pop to my local book store to see if they can source me a copy.

11th Jane 2026:

So I walked to the high street to pay for the papers, and then walked over the road to Dormouse Books. Dormouse is a great little independent book store in the sleepy market town of Belper, I've ordered loads of books from here especially, when I can't find a second hand copy. So I walk in and go to the desk and ask the owner if she could order me a copy of this rather obscure Science Fiction from Chile. A few clicks on her computer later, then a quizzical look at the shelves behind. She steps out from her desk crouches down and pulls a copy from the lowest shelf. "Thought So, here you go Andy!".

I'm stunned and actually slightly disappointing, its a massive bonus that I don't have to wait to get a copy of the book. But a little disappointing that my book isn't obscure enough to not be stocked in a small town bookstore.

The Physical Book:

The book  is stunning, beautiful artwork, a great finish, just a really well put together book. It's quite a short book at only 130 pages, but beautiful things can come in small packages.

The Story:

The Story predominantly follows Pedro and his two children. Pedro works for a large lumber company in Chile and contracts a fungal infection that attacks him incredibly fast and is hospitalised. Some of his colleagues contracted the same infection but all died very quickly from the infection. Pedro, whilst in hospital met with a local priest who took Pedro's condition as some sort of greater sign and Pedro's condition became the catalyst for the priest becoming a cult leader with Pedro's fungal infection being a symbol for greater connectivity in the world and like fungal species that are huge, and somewhat vast! I really enjoyed the story, as I'm a gardener and a huge fan of fungi and mushrooms. Having read lots of books on mycelium. 

Now, i'm not sure how science fiction this book is. There are no aliens or space ships, but there is a very aggressive fungal infection, that hints at an intent from the fungi. The infections always follow mass deforestation. So maybe we are dealing with sentient and malicious fungi. And that definitely comes under science fiction. And there was that episode of the x-files that had a very deadly fungi. So yes it has its place on my science fiction shelf.

Peru - Anticucho - Gustaffo Vargas

How I found the book:

I went to the 2024 WorldCon in Glasgow. This was a great convention of science fiction and fantasy. The traders hall was huge with loads of people selling books and other science fiction related stuff. I came across Gustaffo's staff who was actively promoting his book as being based of Peruvian folk laws and ancient culture. so it was a very easy purchase. 

The Physical book:

This is less of a novel and more of a graphic novel. But i'm still adding it to my list. I'm sure if I find a full blown Science Fiction novel from Peru, I'll read that and add it to my library. Bur, for now this is my choice for Peru, As this is a graphic novel the book is a beautiful large hard back full of bright colours and stunning artwork.

Bolivia - Our Dead World - Liliana Colanzi

Found but not purchased

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Dead-World-Bolivian-Literature/dp/1943150117

Argentina - The Invention of Morel - Adolfo Bioy Casares.

Following on from Argentina's win in the World Cup (Men's football), I did some research into Argentine science fiction authors and found the above and ordered a second hand copy.

This was only a short book, I think it is listed as a novella, but i'm not sure what defines a novella., but the book was 103 pages, and a narrower book than usual paper backs. This copy was translated, expertly, by Ruth L. C. Simms.

As far as ticking boxes for this project, it didn't refer to Argentina, or Argentinian culture or history so this book simply ticks off an other country.

The story it's self was OK, introduced me to something new, that I hadn't come across in science fiction books, but i can't say what without giving away large parts of the plot, and telling you exactly what 'the invention of Morel' is!

The lead character, 'the fugitive' is a very unlikable, paranoid, self obsessed, half wit. As the story moves along, myself, as the reader made conclusions quickly and easily, and the main character, was way off the mark, and just staring at his own shoes, like a melancholic emo kid at a my chemical romance gig. I don't know if this makes it a great book, as if not often i'm so irritated with a character and i'm swearing at the hapless, listless, and pathetic ball-sack of a man. Or I'm just reading this when i'm hungry with low blood sugars!

Brazil - And still the Earth - Ignacio de Loyola Brandao

Let's start with the feel of the book. My God is this depressing! what more could go wrong? how terrible can the future be? This is a super enjoyable and gripping read, but if you are looking for something light and fluffy, whimsical, or even adventurous; then I would go find another book. In short this book is set in a future dystopian version of Brazil, the rain-forests have been de-forested, rivers drained up, and life is HOT, dusty, dirty and monotonous. 

The book is kind of science fiction, as it deals with a dystopian future, but this is where I see a distinction between sci-fi and science fiction, and this comes under science fiction! So it didn't draw me in like an alien encounter or space odyssey. But it ticks huge boxes for this project and blog. It's set in Brazil, and written by a Brazilian, and deals with Brazilian culture, history and geography.

It took me a very long time to read this book, as it was my 'van book' for long time. which meant the book came to work with me and lived in my van. For those times when I was super early for a job, or the weather was too bad for me to do any gardening. So it was read if small chunks

I never feel qualified to comment on the actual writing of a book, I never really enjoyed studying books and writing so I never feel comfortable analysing someone else's pros. But, MY WORD this book is full of beautiful bits of writing, there was one example where the author wrote almost two pages on how the narrator and protagonist took a sip of water and then burped! TWO gloriously detailed emotional pages on a simple burp!

Huge respect and admiration for Ellen Watson, wrote translated this work too. The book had so many words that I looked up in a dictionary as they were new words to me. The narrator even comments on his love for 'ancient' words