Children of Chaos

novel by Goytisolo

Also known as: “Duelo en el paraíso”

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July 23, 2026

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Duelo en el paraíso (1955), translated as Children of Chaos, is a novel by Juan Goytisolo. It is set in the immediate aftermath of the Spanish Civil War and explores the violence that erupts when children seize control of a small town. The novel reflects Goytisolo's early Neorealist style, which later evolved into more experimental avant-garde fiction. Goytisolo's work often dealt with themes of political oppression and societal values, influenced by his personal experiences, including the loss of his mother during the Spanish Civil War.1

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Juan Goytisolo
Duelo en el paraíso (1955; Children of Chaos), set just after the Spanish Civil War, is about the violence that ensues when children gain power over a small town. After the publication of Fin de fiesta (1962; The Party’s Over), four stories about marriage, his style grew more experimental. The…
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Duelo en el paraíso (1955; Children of Chaos), set just after the Spanish Civil War, is about the violence that ensues when children gain power over a small town. After the publication of Fin de fiesta (1962; The Party’s Over), four stories about marriage, his style grew more experimental. The…
Read More