Hello! This week’s book is called Deep Rivers and it is written by José María Arguedas. The story is narrated by Ernesto, a young child of mixed blood (both indigenous and white), who is taken to a Catholic boarding school. Ernesto’s coming-of-age experience is chronicled in the book as he struggles with his identity and makes an effort to make sense of the divergent cultural influences in his life.
Arguedas provides a deep and nuanced depiction of Andean culture by incorporating language, mythology, and folklore from the region into the story. The influence of modernization on traditional ways of life, prejudice, and social injustice are some of the topics I found while I was reading the book.
This is actually the first book I’ve read that has words in the original language and is then translated then and there. This is honestly something I really like because it gave me a sense of the language the book was portraying and that was really cool for me. This use of languages displays the cultural divide and helps to enhance the authenticity of the language.
What really got me thinking was why the it was named Deep Rivers, and as I read on, I realized the true meaning behind the title. The true meaning behind “Deep Rivers” is that it is a metaphor for the depths of culture and psychology that the story delves into. it also symbolizes Ernesto’s journey of self-discovery, and figure out his place in society and his identity. This book surprisingly reminded me a little about Agostino. This is because both of these characters symbolized growing up and searching for their real selves.
As he struggled with the conflict between indigenous and Western influences and worked through the complexity of his identity, Ernesto developed a close bond with the Pachachaca River. Ernesto and the Andean community got a sense of connection and belonging from the river, which turned into a potent symbol of culture and continuity. Also, the way that Arguedas depicts the difficulties that the indigenous people encounter adds to a larger conversation about social justice, cultural identity, and the effects of structural and historical injustices.
I enjoyed this book, however it may not be one of my favorites. I did relate to some parts of the book, and the rest of the book kind of inspired me to learn more about my culture.
See you all in the next book!
Question: Do you have a place that you connect to, like how Ernesto had the Pachachaca River? If yes, what is it? And why do you have a special connection to it?
Week 1 - Introductory Blog Post 
3 responses to “Deep Rivers”
“The way that Arguedas depicts the difficulties that the indigenous people encounter adds to a larger conversation about social justice, cultural identity, and the effects of structural and historical injustices.” I agree with this phrase, but what strikes me most is that Arguedas does not do it in a simplistic way or in the way we might expect from a certain type of “indigenist” novel. There is an obvious sympathy for the Andean world, but it is expressed in certain subtleties throughout the novel. I hope you enjoy more of the upcoming reads!
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I really enjoyed your analysis!! To answer your question, usually think of the ocean as my place that I connect to because I find the waves and such calming 😛
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Hey Dhwani, interesting post. My important place is a small bog just down the block from my house. When I was really little, my family used to go on evening walks there pretty regularly. Sometimes go there with my dog to relax a bit for a few minutes to the sound of the birds chirping.
-Nathan Harris
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