Civilizations: An Alternate History
"Civilizations" by Laurent Binet paints a captivating alternate history where the Americas remain untouched by European colonization. In this world, the Inca emperor Atahualpa emerges as a formidable conqueror, overturning the balance of power in Europe.
The novel begins in the year 1000, with Freydis Eiriksdottir's expedition exploring the Americas. Her crew encounters indigenous peoples and transmits knowledge, ultimately shaping the future resistance to disease. In 1492, Christopher Columbus's expedition to Cuba meets a tragic end, as the Taíno population repels their invasion.
The third part follows Atahualpa's audacious journey from Cuba to Spain. Inspired by Higuénamota, a Taíno princess who learned Spanish, he sets out to establish the Inca Empire's Fifth Quarter in Europe. Atahualpa's reign brings prosperity and religious tolerance, but his ambition ultimately sets in motion a series of events leading to his demise.
The novel's final part introduces Miguel de Cervantes, who joins the Inca-led army against Ottoman and Austrian forces at the Battle of Lepanto. Captured and enslaved, Cervantes and El Greco eventually escape to France. The novel concludes with their arrival in Cuba, where the Inca and Mexican empires are seeking artists and writers.
Laurent Binet's "Civilizations" is a unique and thought-provoking historical fiction that explores the power of resistance, the resilience of indigenous peoples, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. It has garnered critical acclaim, receiving the 2019 Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française and the 2021 Sidewise Award for Alternate History.