Gaspar Ruiz is a strong rebel soldier whose bad luck makes him pass as a deserter, a man who seems predestined to be a victim of his own strength. The wars of South American independence against Spanish rule are the framework of this extraordinary adventure. An enthralling novel of Gaspar's inspirational rise from obscurity to light. Remarkable for its irony, it marvellously presents man's capacity for self-deception. Attention-grabbing! (Goodreads)