Louis de Bernieres' Latin American Trilogy

The War of Don Emmanuel's Netherparts, the first in Louis de Bernières' Latin America trilogy.  Set in a fictional Latin American country, the book is full of well-drawn characters - among them the incompetent and often brutal army officers, the guerrillas, the local prostitutes and land owners.  Through these characters, de Bernières shows us the complicated history and present of the region, one in which the whole world is involved, from internal migrants to the eccentric Don Emmanuel of the title, a British immigrant. 
Having just returned from travelling in Latin America, I recognised a lot of the references and really enjoyed reading the more political sections.  Although, they are not intrusive, and are indeed clearer than in other books in the genre, so prospective readers should not be put off.  Many of the episodes in the book are from real incidents, or at least inspired by them, which makes for chilling reading.
A good example of Magical Realism, with current and historical issues as well as the interference of magical creatures, such as the jaguars and the spirits seen by Aurelio.  The contradictions of Latin America are really caught here, the violence, the natural wonders, the racial inequality, and the unstable political situation.

Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord, the second book in the Latin American trilogy is also on the 1001 book list. The action continues with characters from the first book, but with a new protagonist, Dionisio Vivo. Vivo writes angry letters to the papers about the drug situation in the country and soon finds himself a target of the eponimous coca lord.  Dionisio has the support of his highly educated friend Ramon, a policeman, who plays the sensible foil to his dreamer.  Dionisio, in his protest, becomes a powerful symbol of defiance, which seems to protect him from the Coca Lord's assassination attempts.  Even el Presidente follows his letters, and from them starts asking of his staff the questions posed by Dionisio.
De Bernieres also writes about the spiritual and superstitious side of life, saints mixed with candombe, a blend of the indigenous, catholic and slave cultures.  Aurelio el brujo is back, along with the tame jaguars, bringing with him the magical element. 
Once again, this is an entertaining and fantastical book, but also brutal as can be expected from a book about the battle between an idealist and a drug lord. For me, the series is going from strength to strength - I have book three ready to go.

The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman, the third book in the Latin American trilogy by the author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

This book moves into the religious life in the unnamed country. The hypocracies of the church are laid bare, starting with the titular cardinal, who indeed does have a son with his housekeeper. Although there is ambiguityin the narrative, this is not a wholescale condemnatation of the church. There is a defrocked priest who quotes Latin to pardon his flock, though not Church Latin, but the biggest threat is a new wave of inquistors led by the unhinged Monsignor Anquilar. It is the latter which also threatens the peaceful coexistance in Cocha Debajo de los Gatos.
The magical realism style holds up well with the third book, I especially enjoyed the comic utterings of the thawed out Conde (usually about his descendents) and the Mexican musician being mercilessly teased by his wives. Dionisio finally seems to come to terms with his loss, something which I had been hoping for.
There is a lot of misery in this book, tempered by the style it is written, but hope comes in the form of the resistance, of which the co-operative town of Coche Debajo de los Gatos is a potent symbol.