Fiction: 'You Dreamed of Empires' by Álvaro Enrigue.

In the article, "Fiction: 'You Dreamed of Empires' by Álvaro Enrigue," the author explores the historical encounter between Hernán Cortés and Emperor Moctezuma in 1519. The novel, while fictionalized, delves into the clash of civilizations and the downfall of the Aztecs. It vividly portrays the architecture, cuisine, and rituals of the time, as well as the use of hallucinogens by Moctezuma and his subjects. The article also briefly mentions two other books, "River East, River West" by Aube Rey Lescure and "Verdigris" by Michele Mari, which explore contemporary culture clashes in China and a Gothic horror narrative, respectively. [Extracted from the article]