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Kalpa Imperial

The Greatest Empire That Never Was
By Angélica Gorodischer
Penguin Classics
Series: Penguin Modern Classics
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Brief Description
A dazzling tapestry of myth, fantasy and folk tale from Argentina's great writer of speculative fiction, in a translation by Ursula K. Le Guin. In city squares and golden palaces, a series of storytellers recount the history of the greatest Empire that never was: a history... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2800
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A dazzling tapestry of myth, fantasy and folk tale from Argentina's great writer of speculative fiction, in a translation by Ursula K. Le Guin.

In city squares and golden palaces, a series of storytellers recount the history of the greatest Empire that never was: a history in which orphans rise from the underworld to the throne, mad emperors raze cities, captive dancers induce fatal delirium and murderous empresses plot against their own children.

Kalpa Imperial, Angélica Gorodischer's novel, masterfully translated by Ursula K. Le Guin, conjures a vivid fictional universe of labyrinthine cities, desert caravans and the lawless South - and of an Empire fated to rise, fall and rise again.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241803523

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 16 July 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Ursula K. Le Guin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 192g

Pages: 272

Collections

Angélica Gorodischer Best Sellers at Book Hero Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fantasy Fiction Fiction in Translation General Fiction Gifts $20-$50 In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction Sci-Fi & Fantasy Series: Penguin Modern Classics

About the Author

Angelica Gorodischer (Author) Although born in Buenos Aires, Angelica Gorodischer (1928-2022) was most closely associated with the city of Rosario, her home since childhood and also the home of her famous character, Trafalgar Medrano. She wrote over twenty books, including Trafalgar (1979) and the fantastical Kalpa Imperial (1983-4), which was translated into English by Ursula K. Le Guin. Her work has been compared to that of Borges and Calvino, and she won numerous literary prizes as well as an award for her contribution to women's rights. In 2011 she received a World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement. Ursula K. Le Guin (Translator) Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018) was one of the most acclaimed speculative fiction writers of the twentieth century. Her works include The Left Hand of Darkness, The Dispossessed, and The Earthsea Quartet, all of which redefined the possibilities of science fiction and fantasy.

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    Science fiction meets magical realism in this witty and wildly imaginative work from one of Argentina's best-loved writers. Part pulp adventure, part otherworldly meditation, this is the story of Trafalgar Medrano: intergalactic trader and lover of bitter coffee and black cigarettes. In the bars and cafes of Rosario, Argentina, he recounts tall tales of his space escapades — involving, among...
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