The outset of the twentieth century, the impact of American science and technology on South America’s second smallest country, Ecuador. The displacement of the French cultural influence. In the eye of the storm, risen from oblivion, is eccentric Don Ricardo, a senator intent on taming language, and more appalling acts — public canings of slanderous politicians, for example. — The novel chronicles the making of a documentary shot on location in Ecuador about the early decades of the American Century. …
