The Bugler/El Corneta

In The Bugler (El corneta, 1981), Honduran author Roberto Castillo narrates the adventures of Tivo, a poor, innocent boy from a Honduran village as he struggles against the difficult socioeconomic and political conditions in his country. This picaresque tale is an expression of Castillo's criticism of the military establishment in Honduras during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Castillo believes that the military exerted an inordinate influence in Latin American society and takes a critical view of the oppressive ecclesiastic authorities as well. Tivo faces these injustices that surround him and maintains his integrity, as well as hope for a new and more just society, to the end. An excellent sample of contemporary Honduran Spanish, this bilingual edition contains the English translation and original text of El corneta, the author's preface, a bibliography of Roberto Castillo's works, and an introduction by Edward Waters Hood.