few guns stolen from the Republic's army--difficulties during the fourth and final assault of Canudos which finally brought them down. Estimated casualties: between 25,000 to 30,000 men, women and children dead. Only 7 from Canudos were captured alive. The Republic's army lost 823 men. The most haunting yet often perfectly mundane high realism, the most accurate yet fictional portrait historical, the most perfect novel to sum up the Latin American hispanic colonial experience -- only wait, it takes place in Brazil?! Mario Vargas Llosa is without a doubt one of the greatest writers of the late modern period. That he is Latino all the better, but even when he writes 100% a historical novel set in colonial Latin America, he's still going far and beyond regionalism and historicalism. ...more The most haunting yet often perfectly mundane high realism, the most accurate yet fictional portrait historical, the most perfect novel to sum up the Latin American hispanic colonial experience -- only wait, it takes place in Brazil?! Mario Vargas Llosa is without a doubt one of the greatest writers of the late modern period. That he is Latino all the better, but even when he writes 100% a historical novel set in colonial Latin America, he's still going far and beyond regionalism and historicalism. Seriously one of the best novels ever. If you know your history, especially if you're Latino or REALLY know your history of Latin America, you'll be astounded because in a sprawling yet all the same localized conflict,