The Lost Steps

Alejo Carpentier · 1904–1980 · Cuba

Originally Los pasos perdidos (Spanish) · translated by Harriet de Onís

Why it matters

A disillusioned composer travels up a South American river in search of primitive musical instruments, and finds time itself running backward. Carpentier's other landmark of lo real maravilloso, structured as a journey out of modernity.

At a glance

Dense, allusive prose structures a journey backward through historical and mythic time.