Product guide

The Discreet Hero: A Novel — Kindle Edition

The Discreet Hero: A Novel is a Kindle edition of Mario Vargas Llosa’s story of two Peruvians resisting injustice in Piura and Lima. It follows a small-business owner facing blackmail and an insurance executive planning against his sons, with returning characters from the author’s earlier novels.

At a glance

The intertwined story follows Felícito Yanaqué in Piura and Ismael Carrera in Lima as each pushes back against injustice.
The novel revisits Sergeant Lituma, Don Rigoberto, Doña Lucrecia, and Fonchito.
The listing identifies Edith Grossman as the translator.

Price

$3.99Save 78%

Reference price: ~~$17.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The dual-city storyline combines personal resistance, family conflict, and depictions of Peruvian life.
The Kindle listing includes Screen Reader support, enhanced typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip.

Technical specifications

11 specifications

Edition details
Publisher	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date	March 10, 2015
Language	English
Print length	340 pages
File size	4.0 MB
ISBN-13	978-0374711573

Kindle features
Screen Reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Enabled
Word Wise	Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers interested in literary fiction set in Peru and stories about individuals challenging injustice.
Readers who enjoy connected storylines and recurring characters from Vargas Llosa’s other novels.
Kindle readers who may use reading aids such as Word Wise or Screen Reader support.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.2 / 5 · 571 ratings

5 stars49%49%
4 stars33%33%
3 stars11%11%
2 stars4%4%
1 star3%3%

Customer feedback describes the novel as captivating, with a complex suspenseful plot, developed characters, engaging writing, and vivid depictions that offer insight into Peruvian culture. Readers looking for an immersive literary story may value those reported strengths. Aggregate ratings are generally favorable but include a smaller share of lower-star ratings, so reader reactions are not unanimous.

Positive themes

Customers report appreciating the suspenseful plot, character development, writing, entertainment, and cultural detail.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Discreet Hero about?

It follows two Peruvians in separate cities. A small-business owner refuses to yield to blackmail while an insurance executive plots to counter his sons’ plans.

Where is the story set?

The story moves between Piura and Lima in Peru.

Does this Kindle edition list reading features?

Yes. The listing specifies Screen Reader support, enhanced typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip.

Who translated the novel?

The listing names Edith Grossman as the translator.