Pachacuti: World Overturned

by Lori Eshleman

Three centuries after Columbus, uprisings in South America still held out the hope of a Pachacuti, or world-turning, which would reverse the fortunes of the Spanish and the Indians. One such revolt in the eighteenth-century Kingdom of Quito entwines the lives of three people in a story of desire and unextinguished hope that mirrors the complex relations between conquerors and the conquered. For Santiago Huamán the revolt sparks a quest to become a medicine man; for young Ana Alfaro it brings exile and an illicit love affair; and for the Jesuit inquisitor Gregorio Moncada, it precipitates spiritual doubt. From the baroque city of Quito to a remote hacienda in South America’s largest crater, Pachacuti: World Overturned captures the grandeur and decay of the Spanish Empire on the eve of disintegration.

Genres: Historical Fiction

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2015

About the author

Lori Eshleman has had a strong interest in Latin American culture since attending "Fiesta Day" parades on Mexican Independence Day in her home town of Sterling, IL. She spent summers in Ecuador over a period of years, and received a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Minnesota. Now she lives in Tempe, Arizona, and teaches at Arizona State University, including courses in Mexican art, art of the Americas, and medieval art. She enjoys writing about themes of cultural, ethnic and religious encounter. Her first historical novel, Pachacuti: World Overturned (Bagwyn Books, 2015), draws on her experiences in Ecuador and on extensive research into the period of 18th century Andean life. Her sources include historical chronicles, travel narratives, works of anthropology and religious studies, and folklore. She also draws on religious festivals, rituals, and shamanic traditions in Ecuador. The novel is set in the lush landscape of Ecuador with its volcanoes, cloud forests, jungle rivers, and exotic plants and animals; and in the baroque city of Quito with its many gilded churches. Reviewer James Thomas Stevens says of her novel, "Deftly weaving history with strong characters in conflict with both class and race, Eshleman returns the human elements, both inhuman and humane, that are so often stripped away from history. This novel is a pachacuti, a world-turning, in itself, leaving the reader dazzled beneath a fiery Andean sun..."
See her Interview at ASU Magazine:
https://magazine.asu.edu/blog/arts-cu...
See her Interview in ASU News:
https://asunews.asu.edu/20150325-eshl...
See her Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/lorieshlmn/...
Review in ASU Magazine: https://magazine.asu.edu/december-201...
San Francisco Book Review: http://www.sanfranciscobookreview.com...
Portland Book Review: http://portlandbookreview.com/2015/08...
See her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/lori.eshleman1
Author Page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/lorieshl...

Reviews

[Bagwyn Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Eshleman has woven an intricate and marvelous Andean textile of many hues: history, politics, religion, hope, despair, jealousy, betrayal, and sex . . . The result is a nuanced and rich tapestry of local flavors, smells, rituals, terrain and expletives; a fast-moving book that avoids facile resolutions and paper-thin protagonists.
—Jaime Lara, Ph.D., Arizona State University

Pachacuti brings both Pululahua and Quito to life with the stories and struggles of those who inhabit this majestic land of volcanoes and jungles, and pulls the reader into the tumultuous times of 18th Century revolt against both the Spanish, and the Jesuit missionaries. Deftly weaving history with strong characters in conflict with both class and race, Eshleman returns the human elements, both inhuman and humane, that are so often stripped away from history.
—James Thomas Stevens, Author of Combing the Snakes from His Hair

[A. Schutte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Eshleman creates a riveting novel of strong interconnected characters in a poetic whirlwind of passion, clashing cultures, race, revolt and personal search for identity. Readers will quickly find themselves caught up in this startling and haunting vision of 18th century Ecuador, a tale carefully woven by an author who writes in a clear, contemporary voice.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this book. Grabbed my attention from page one. Got to love a guy sleeping off a drinking spree in a gutter with offal! Thank you Goodreads First Reads for my free copy.

[JEVV · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvelously written novel. It held my attention from beginning to end, and I couldn't wait to see how the characters evolved. One feels as if they are right there in the pages, feeling the emotions of the characters, and absorbing the aura of the time period. It swept me along at a good pace, and felt very "real".

[Trina Knittle]

Goodreads win. Will read and review once received.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it had me from the first page. Another quick read.

[Robert Kroeger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, apparently affiliated with Arizona State University, published this book in paperback – odd considering their other books are hardbound. Dr. Lori Eshelman, a professor at ASU, spent many hours, months, and years in not only writing this book but living in Ecuador, which helped her create this historical novel. Her efforts deserved a hardbound book: so I must deduct a star for this.

The book loses another star for style. While Professor Eshelman probably excels in her field, she could enhance her writing. That said, the dialogue and conversations are OK. What’s not OK, but what might not bother some readers, is her writing that frequently shows lack of craft. On page seven, the verb “was” appears six times in two paragraphs. On page 31, three examples: “had asked” vs. asked, “had even wanted” vs. wanted, and “had promised” vs. promised. You won’t see this in The New Yorker magazine. Strong verbs don’t need adverbs and strong nouns don’t need adjectives. I hate to be so critical – and, Lord knows, I’m no William Faulkner – but I like to read well-written work.

The book begins in Ecuador in 1766, 20 years after the English army defeated the Highland clans in the battle of Culloden and 10 years before the colonies drafted our Declaration of Independence. Worldwide, Spain, France, and England had their hands full.

In the beginning the author kindly delineates the complex cast of characters that includes several Jesuits, wealthy Spanish landowners, and indigenous Indians. Over the 350 pages she mixes this cast into a story that takes one back in a time machine to when Spain controlled this colorful country. If you enjoy learning about the history of South America, you won’t be disappointed.

Robert Kroeger, author of The Secrets of Islay