Tradition or innovation in Peruvian historical narrative? The enigma of convent for Jorge E. Benavides

Abstract

This article analyzes the novel by Peruvian author Jorge Eduardo Benavides El enigma del convento (2014) that develops the theme of the independence wars in Arequipa and Madrid, in light of investigations about the historical narrative and Peruvian literary tradition inherited from Ricardo Palma, and at the regional level of Arequipa from María Nieves and Bustamante. After presenting the double historical and police orientation of the novel, the research relates the work to a contemporary context, the literary production and the nomadism of Benavides between Spain and Peru.