Book Description:
Tradiciones Peruanas by Ricardo Palma is a celebrated collection of short stories that blend history, folklore, satire, and humor to capture the spirit and culture of Peru. Spanning from colonial times to the early republic, these "traditions" — as Palma called them — are loosely based on real events and historical figures but are told with creative flair, irony, and a storyteller’s wit.
Each tale offers a vivid snapshot of Peruvian life, exploring themes such as love, politics, superstition, and justice while shedding light on the customs and quirks of different eras. With a style that is both entertaining and rich in local color, Palma’s stories preserve the voices and textures of a nation’s past.
First published in the late 19th century, Tradiciones Peruanas remains a foundational work in Latin American literature — a blend of cultural memory, literary invention, and national identity.
