--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58. ---------- A 49 year old expatriate Urania Cabral living a life of emptiness and terrorizing memories is finaly returning to her native Dominican Republic to face her nightmares. The year is 1961, the pick of a brutal and horrifying regime lead by Rafael Trujillo, an ailing but still powerful and degenerate dictator. He is called the Goat by the nation of 3 million. Little she knows that despite all the ever present oppresion, cowardice and invigilation there is a conspiracy brewing against the Goat. In this fast paced narrative, masterfuly constructed by Llosa in a typical multilevel, entwining byplays you will find yourself in the world of horror, deception, violence and bloody clashes. It is also a kaleidoscope of human characters, demeanour and decissions in confrontation with a brutal and complex reality. Extraordinary literature. Fantastic material for a movie adaptation.