Most Scandalous Woman

Magda Portal and the Dream of Revolution in Peru

Nonfiction, History, Americas, South America, Biography & Memoir, Political
Cover of the book Most Scandalous Woman by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes, University of Oklahoma Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes ISBN: 9780806159720
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press Publication: October 28, 2017
Imprint: University of Oklahoma Press Language: English
Author: Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
ISBN: 9780806159720
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
Publication: October 28, 2017
Imprint: University of Oklahoma Press
Language: English

In 1926 a young Peruvian woman picked up a gun, wrested her infant daughter from her husband, and liberated herself from the constraints of a patriarchal society. Magda Portal, a poet and journalist, would become one of Latin America’s most successful and controversial politicians. In this richly nuanced portrayal of Portal, historian Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of this prominent twentieth-century revolutionary within the broader history of leftist movements, gender politics, and literary modernism in Latin America.

An early member of bohemian circles in Lima, La Paz, and Mexico City, Portal distinguished herself as the sole female founder of the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA). A leftist but non-Communist movement, APRA would dominate Peru’s politics for five decades. Through close analysis of primary sources, including Portal’s own poetry, correspondence, and other writings, Most Scandalous Woman illuminates Portal’s pivotal work in creating and leading APRA during its first twenty years, as well as her efforts to mobilize women as active participants in political and social change. Despite her successes, Portal broke with APRA in 1950 under bitter circumstances. Wallace Fuentes analyzes how sexism in politics interfered with Portal’s political ambitions, explores her relationships with family members and male peers, and discusses the ramifications of her scandalous love life.

In charting the complex trajectory of Portal’s life and career, Most Scandalous Woman reveals what moves people to become revolutionaries, and the gendered limitations of their revolutionary alliances, in an engrossing narrative that brings to life Latin American revolutionary politics.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 1926 a young Peruvian woman picked up a gun, wrested her infant daughter from her husband, and liberated herself from the constraints of a patriarchal society. Magda Portal, a poet and journalist, would become one of Latin America’s most successful and controversial politicians. In this richly nuanced portrayal of Portal, historian Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes chronicles the dramatic rise and fall of this prominent twentieth-century revolutionary within the broader history of leftist movements, gender politics, and literary modernism in Latin America.

An early member of bohemian circles in Lima, La Paz, and Mexico City, Portal distinguished herself as the sole female founder of the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA). A leftist but non-Communist movement, APRA would dominate Peru’s politics for five decades. Through close analysis of primary sources, including Portal’s own poetry, correspondence, and other writings, Most Scandalous Woman illuminates Portal’s pivotal work in creating and leading APRA during its first twenty years, as well as her efforts to mobilize women as active participants in political and social change. Despite her successes, Portal broke with APRA in 1950 under bitter circumstances. Wallace Fuentes analyzes how sexism in politics interfered with Portal’s political ambitions, explores her relationships with family members and male peers, and discusses the ramifications of her scandalous love life.

In charting the complex trajectory of Portal’s life and career, Most Scandalous Woman reveals what moves people to become revolutionaries, and the gendered limitations of their revolutionary alliances, in an engrossing narrative that brings to life Latin American revolutionary politics.

More books from University of Oklahoma Press

Cover of the book The Oatman Massacre: A Tale of Desert Captivity and Survival by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book The War of 1812 in the Age of Napoleon by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book California's Channel Islands by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book As Far as the Eye Could Reach by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book Bill Sublette by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book Annie Oakley by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book A Toast to Eclipse by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book Finding Sand Creek by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book Crow Jesus by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book Quest for Flight by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book The Gray Fox by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book The Wrong Stuff by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book Fort Bascom by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
Cover of the book Utah and the American Civil War by Myrna Ivonne Wallace Fuentes
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy