Beasts of Carnaval Summary, Characters and Themes

Beasts of Carnaval by Rosalia Rodrigo is a captivating and haunting novel set against the vibrant yet eerie backdrop of the Carnaval de Bestias.  The story weaves together mystery, family bonds, and self-discovery, set on the strange and mysterious island of Isla Bestia.

The narrative follows Sofía, a woman searching for her lost twin brother, Sol, as she navigates a world of secretive masked revelers and enigmatic traditions.  The novel explores themes of identity, class struggle, and the battle between personal desires and greater forces, with Sofía’s journey unraveling the secrets of the island and the peculiar people that inhabit it. With its lush descriptions and intricate plot, Beasts of Carnaval invites readers into a world where reality and illusion blur, leaving a lasting impression on the mind and heart.

Summary

The novel begins with a young boy who receives a visit from a mysterious figure—a monster dressed in silken frills and a green mask.  The creature presents a letter with a single word: “Sigueme” (Follow me).

Though hesitant, the boy follows the monster through winding streets filled with the energy of Carnaval, descending into a dark cellar.  Inside, a woman with obsidian eyes and a nearby river waits.

She invites him onto a canoe, and the boy reluctantly agrees, unaware that his journey has just begun.

Elsewhere, Sofía, a woman of mixed heritage, holds onto a small woodpecker figurine carved by her missing twin brother, Sol.  Her memories drift back to her childhood on a sugar plantation, where she was raised as a servant but later gained respect as an intellectual.

Sofía’s life is overshadowed by her brother’s disappearance five years earlier when he traveled to the island of Isla Bestia with Adelina’s father, Don Reynaldo.  While Sofía has become a respected figure for her intellectual critiques, her longing for her brother and the complicated dynamics around class and independence weigh heavily on her.

Adelina, Sofía’s childhood friend and employer, is working on mechanizing the sugar plantation to improve conditions for the workers.  Though Sofía’s relationship with Adelina is strained, she decides to leave the hacienda in search of Sol.

The tension between them is further compounded by Sofía’s obsession with solving the mystery of her brother’s disappearance, which she believes is tied to the island.

Sofía travels to Isla Bestia, where the enigmatic Carnaval de Bestias is held.  The island’s bizarre and opulent celebrations overwhelm her.

She encounters masked revelers, including the strange vejigantes, figures from local folklore.  Sofía, though unprepared for the surreal nature of the island, remains determined to find her brother.

Accompanied by Adelina, Sofía embarks on her search for Sol.  The island’s labyrinth-like setting seems to distort her perceptions, and she catches glimpses of Sol, only to be thrown into confusion.

She stumbles upon a secret door leading into a maze of mirrors, where her reality starts to unravel.  As she desperately searches, Sofía finds no trace of Sol but encounters an injured Adelina.

Despite Adelina’s reassurances, Sofía is not deterred.

The night progresses, and Sofía’s resolve strengthens as she questions her identity and purpose.  As the labyrinth confounds her, she realizes the truth of her brother’s disappearance might be deeper and more elusive than she had hoped.

While Adelina, with her usual charm, continues to engage with the revelers, Sofía’s internal conflict grows stronger, reflecting her struggle between the life she has known and the uncertain future she faces.

Amidst the extravagance of the Carnaval, Sofía is momentarily distracted by an aerialist’s performance.  The graceful dancer, suspended in the air with wings crafted from her costume, captures the attention of the crowd.

Yet Sofía’s mind is not on the revelry; she remains fixated on finding Sol.  As she and Adelina continue their search, Sofía becomes increasingly convinced that the island holds secrets that the people around her are hiding.

She seeks the help of Madame Anani, a fortune-teller known for revealing hidden truths, but the encounter proves tense, and Sofía must press on without immediate answers.

Sofía’s search leads her to the servants’ quarters of the grand Flor de Lis estate, but there, too, she finds no clues.  She overhears a conversation about the carnival’s allure and how it lures people with promises of wealth and fame.

This revelation only deepens her suspicion that Sol’s disappearance might be tied to the mysterious workings of the Carnaval.

The following day, Sofía, growing increasingly desperate, confronts a masked figure who may hold the key to Sol’s whereabouts.  Her attempts to get answers from the carnival staff are met with deflection, leaving her frustrated and more determined than ever to uncover the truth.

The more Sofía delves into the carnival’s surreal and shifting world, the more she is drawn into its disorienting magic.  Reality and illusion blur, and Sofía’s quest becomes an increasingly complex journey.

As the days pass, Sofía’s search leads her into deeper corners of Isla Bestia, where she eventually stumbles upon a ship caught in a violent storm.  The ship, named Flor de Lis, is her last hope of escaping the island’s turmoil.

In the midst of the chaos, Sofía and her companions struggle to survive the island’s wrath.  They work together to get the ship running while Sofía contemplates the volatile nature of the island and its unpredictable gods.

Tensions with Adelina reach a boiling point, but Sofía remains resolute, determined to find her brother and uncover the island’s secrets.

As they prepare to leave Isla Bestia, Sofía is forced to confront the inevitable destruction of the island.  She realizes that the island’s consciousness has been calling out to her, and that only by letting go of her attachments can she move forward.

Her journey has taken her through the heart of the island’s mysteries, but Sofía is left wondering whether she will ever truly understand the forces that govern the island and its people.

Sofía finally finds Sol, but he is changed, distant, and seemingly at peace with the island’s ways.  Their reunion is bittersweet as Sofía grapples with the transformation of her brother and her own sense of belonging.

The island’s ancient customs and powerful spirits have altered her, and Sofía faces the painful realization that the world she once knew is no longer the same.

In the final moments, Sofía reflects on her journey and the intertwined destinies of the island and its inhabitants.  The mystery of her brother’s disappearance is not fully resolved, but Sofía has found a new understanding of her place within the greater story of Isla Bestia.

As the island continues its transformation, Sofía becomes a chronicler of its history, ready to preserve the stories of its people for future generations, even as the island faces an uncertain future.

Characters

Sofía

Sofía is the central character of Beasts of Carnaval and her journey serves as the backbone of the story.  A woman of mixed heritage, she is intellectual, introspective, and deeply affected by the disappearance of her twin brother, Sol.

Growing up on a sugar plantation, Sofía has always been aware of the complex class dynamics and has gained a certain respect for her intellectual critiques, despite being raised as a servant.  As an adult, Sofía is driven by her quest for truth and a desperate need to find Sol, whose disappearance is shrouded in mystery.

Her determination to find him leads her to the island of Isla Bestia, where she is forced to confront a world that is both surreal and confusing.  Sofía is torn between her past and the uncertain future, with the island’s mysteries and her brother’s absence constantly challenging her sense of identity.

She grapples with the shifting boundaries between illusion and reality, and by the end, she finds herself navigating a world that is far more complex than she initially understood.  Sofía’s relationship with her brother becomes fraught with tension as she realizes that his transformation into a member of the Taike’ri complicates her feelings toward him.

Throughout her journey, Sofía is forced to reconcile the past with the present, and her journey of self-discovery becomes a key theme in the narrative.

Sol

Sol, Sofía’s missing twin brother, is a key figure whose absence looms over the story.  His mysterious disappearance to Isla Bestia years ago is the catalyst for Sofía’s journey, but when she finally finds him, Sol has changed.

His transformation is physical, mental, and emotional, as he has become part of the Taike’ri, a secretive group with deep ties to the island’s history.  Despite their reunion, Sol distances himself from Sofía, and their bond, once strong, now feels fragile and strained.

Sol’s relationship with Sofía is complicated by the island’s pull on him, as it seems to have altered his very nature.  His time among the Taike’ri has reshaped his identity, and he no longer shares the same connection to Sofía that they once had.

Sol’s journey represents a painful transformation, not just physically but emotionally, as he becomes entangled in the mysteries of Isla Bestia.  His reluctance to share his new life with Sofía adds a layer of conflict to the story, highlighting the tension between family bonds and the forces that shape them.

Adelina

Adelina, Sofía’s long-time friend and employer, is a character whose complex relationships with others play a significant role in the narrative.  Though she is an intellectual in her own right, focusing on mechanical inventions to improve conditions on the sugar plantation, her emotional distance from Sofía reveals the tension in their friendship.

Adelina is pragmatic, often pushing forward with her goals despite personal conflicts, and her connection with Sofía is marked by both deep affection and unresolved issues.  Throughout the story, Adelina is involved in her own battles with the expectations of society, as well as the responsibilities that come with being the heir to the plantation.

Her role in the story evolves as she accompanies Sofía to Isla Bestia and becomes a participant in Sofía’s search for Sol.  Although she tries to keep a carefree facade at the Carnaval, her internal struggles and desire for a deeper connection with Sofía are clear.

As the story unfolds, Adelina’s journey becomes entwined with Sofía’s as they face the bizarre world of Isla Bestia together, and despite their differing views and goals, their bond is tested by the mysteries of the island and the danger they face.

Don Reynaldo

Don Reynaldo, Adelina’s father, plays a significant role in the backstory of the novel, though he is not directly present in much of the action.  His involvement in the sugar plantation and the decision to take Sol to Isla Bestia sets in motion the events that lead to Sol’s disappearance.

Don Reynaldo’s character represents the patriarchal structures that control the lives of the women and workers in the story.  His influence looms large, not only in the lives of his daughter and Sofía but also in the broader dynamics of the plantation and its workers.

While his motivations are not always clear, his actions contribute to the entanglement of Sofía’s family in the mysteries of Isla Bestia, creating a sense of tension that underpins Sofía’s search for answers.

Madame Anani

Madame Anani is a fortune-teller whose role in the story adds an element of mysticism and intrigue.  Sofía, in her search for answers, encounters Madame Anani, who is known for her ability to perceive hidden truths.

Initially, Sofía is skeptical of her abilities but becomes desperate enough to seek her out in the hope of learning something about Sol’s disappearance.  Madame Anani’s refusal to give Sofía any direct answers without a formal reading highlights her enigmatic nature and her connection to the mystical forces at play in the narrative.

Through Madame Anani, the story introduces the theme of fate and destiny, with Sofía trying to understand how her journey fits into the larger, mysterious forces of the island.  Madame Anani’s involvement with the magical elements of the story helps deepen the sense that the world Sofía is navigating is one where reality and illusion often blur, and her cryptic nature adds a layer of suspense to the unfolding events.

Kaona

Kaona is a character who represents the emotional and spiritual struggle of the island’s people.  As the island faces destruction, Kaona is deeply torn between seeking vengeance and finding peace.

She is deeply connected to the island and its people, yet her personal grief and the traumas of the past cloud her judgment.  Her relationship with Sofía is one of tension, as Kaona’s anger and sense of loss contrast sharply with Sofía’s desire for resolution and peace.

Kaona’s journey is one of internal conflict, and her views on vengeance versus mercy create a moral complexity that adds depth to the story.  Her role as a potential leader for the island’s people highlights the theme of leadership and responsibility, as she struggles to reconcile her past with the difficult choices she faces in the present.

The Taike’ri

The Taike’ri are an enigmatic group of people living in secret on Isla Bestia, whose ancient history and customs are slowly revealed through Sofía’s journey.  Their presence on the island adds to the sense of mystery and foreboding that surrounds Sofía’s search for Sol.

While initially, they seem like a simple group, Sofía’s exploration of their world exposes the deeper, hidden layers of the island’s culture.  The Taike’ri play a crucial role in the final events of the story, as Sofía begins to understand their connection to the island and its gods.

Their rituals and customs are tied to the island’s ancient consciousness, and Sofía’s involvement with them complicates her journey.  The Taike’ri represent the tension between the known and the unknown, as Sofía’s relationship with them helps her understand the complexities of the island’s past and her place within it.

Themes

Identity and Self-Discovery

The journey of Beasts of Carnaval revolves heavily around the theme of identity, particularly as it pertains to Sofía’s struggle with understanding who she truly is.  Sofía’s quest is not just about finding her brother, Sol, but about exploring her place in a world full of contradictions.

Raised as a servant but now an intellectual, Sofía’s identity is defined by constant movement between different social spheres, from the sugar plantation where she spent her childhood to the elite circles she now navigates through her writings and intellect.  Her search for Sol is inextricably tied to her search for self-understanding, as she questions her past, the person she’s become, and the future she must face.

The complex, layered identity of Sofía mirrors the broader theme of personal evolution as the story moves forward, especially in the surreal and strange world of Isla Bestia, where every character and event challenges preconceived notions of who they are.  Sofía’s interaction with the carnival, the enigmatic figures she meets, and her encounter with Sol all force her to confront uncomfortable truths about herself.

Her internal conflict—torn between a past steeped in both pain and pride, and an uncertain future defined by a new set of truths—further deepens her struggle with her identity.  The labyrinth-like world of Isla Bestia itself symbolizes this journey of self-discovery, as Sofía’s constant questioning mirrors the distortion of reality that characterizes the island’s complex social and physical environment.

Loss and the Weight of Grief

The theme of loss is ever-present throughout Beasts of Carnaval, shaping the characters’ motivations and their emotional states.  Sofía’s grief over her missing brother, Sol, is the central driver of the narrative, with each twist and turn of the story intensifying her anguish.

The uncertainty surrounding Sol’s fate, coupled with the emotional burden of their separation, weighs heavily on Sofía, leaving her desperate for closure.  The portrayal of grief is not just confined to Sofía’s experience but also extends to other characters, notably Adelina, whose past relationships and emotional struggles add depth to her character.

The emotional heaviness of the story is emphasized by the disorienting world of Isla Bestia, where the boundaries between illusion and reality blur, amplifying the characters’ feelings of loss.  The loss of Sol is symbolic of a broader loss within the island’s inhabitants—lost history, lost connections, and the erosion of identities as the island itself seems to transform into something unrecognizable.

As Sofía navigates this world, the theme of loss grows more complex, transcending mere physical disappearance and extending into the emotional and psychological realms.  Her search for her brother is not only an attempt to find a loved one but also a quest to reclaim lost parts of herself, confronting the fragmented nature of memory, identity, and connection in the face of grief.

The Power of Folklore and Myth

Throughout Beasts of Carnaval, the island’s rich cultural heritage and folklore play a significant role in shaping the narrative.  The characters’ interactions with the mysterious, masked figures during the Carnaval de Bestias and the presence of vejigantes—traditional Puerto Rican carnival characters—are rooted in the cultural mythology of the island.

The carnival itself becomes a manifestation of these myths, where reality intertwines with the supernatural, forcing the characters to question the nature of truth and illusion.  Sofía, in her quest to understand the disappearance of her brother, is drawn into a world where the lines between myth and reality are constantly shifting.

The presence of supernatural elements—such as the enigmatic island-god, the dark labyrinth, and the eerie, ghostly figures—further enhances the sense that the island is not merely a physical place but a space deeply embedded in the cultural consciousness of its people.  The mythology of the island and its carnival celebrations reflect deeper truths about the human experience, particularly regarding loss, identity, and the struggle between freedom and control.

As Sofía delves deeper into the world of Isla Bestia, she uncovers hidden histories and ancient practices that challenge her understanding of the world, forcing her to confront the power of myths that govern both the island and its people.

Social Class and Power Structures

The theme of social class and the inequities inherent in power structures is a crucial element of Beasts of Carnaval.  Sofía’s journey is deeply tied to her personal history and the rigid class divisions that have shaped her life.

Born into a family that served on a sugar plantation, Sofía’s rise to intellectual prominence represents both a personal achievement and a commentary on the broader power dynamics in society.  The plantation, a symbol of colonial exploitation, serves as a backdrop for Sofía’s early years, reflecting the entrenched social hierarchies that define the world she must navigate.

However, as Sofía becomes more involved with the Carnaval and the world of Isla Bestia, she finds herself facing not just the traditional class systems but also the complex, shifting power structures within the island’s society.  The island itself, with its labyrinths and hidden doors, becomes a metaphor for the barriers that separate individuals based on social standing.

Sofía’s interactions with characters like Francisco and Adelina reveal the intricate ways in which power is maintained, manipulated, and resisted.  Adelina’s role as an inventor, attempting to improve conditions for the workers on the plantation, further explores the tension between progress and exploitation, illustrating how power is often held by those who control both resources and knowledge.

Through Sofía’s eyes, the reader witnesses the struggles of those at the bottom of the social hierarchy, as well as the complicated choices they must make when confronted with systemic oppression.

The Conflict Between Tradition and Progress

The tension between tradition and progress is a recurring theme in Beasts of Carnaval, particularly through the experiences of Sofía and Adelina.  The world of Isla Bestia, with its strange, unearthly celebrations, represents a form of tradition that clashes with Sofía’s more modern, intellectual perspective.

While Sofía seeks to uncover hidden truths through her intellectual pursuits, Adelina is driven by a desire to innovate and improve the material conditions of the plantation workers, symbolizing the desire for progress and change.  This conflict is especially evident in the context of the island’s transformation, as Sofía and Adelina each grapple with the role of technology and progress in shaping their futures.

Sofía’s skepticism towards the magical, almost supernatural nature of Isla Bestia’s carnival reflects a larger question about the value of progress in a world where the past holds such significant power.  Adelina, on the other hand, seeks to harness the potential of machines to improve lives, but this drive for progress is often overshadowed by the island’s ancient customs, creating a constant push-and-pull between the old and the new.

In this sense, the characters’ personal journeys become symbolic of the larger cultural struggle between the desire for progress and the pull of tradition, where both forces are in constant tension, never fully reconciling.

Illusion vs. Reality

One of the most striking themes in Beasts of Carnaval is the blurred line between illusion and reality.  The carnival itself serves as a stage for this theme, where the revelers wear masks and the festivities obscure the true nature of the island’s mysteries.

Sofía’s journey through the labyrinth of Isla Bestia exemplifies this struggle between what seems real and what is not.  Her search for Sol becomes more complicated as she is faced with a world that seems to distort her perceptions, making her question what is truly happening versus what she wishes to believe.

The presence of mirrors and distorted images further emphasizes this theme, as Sofía is continually confronted by reflections that do not fully align with her understanding of the world.  Her encounters with figures like Madame Anani, who offers cryptic readings, and the distorted experiences in the carnival, push Sofía to grapple with the ambiguity of truth.

In many ways, the carnival serves as both a literal and metaphorical space where illusion takes precedence, forcing Sofía and the other characters to confront their deepest fears, desires, and uncertainties.  As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the pursuit of truth in such an environment may not lead to clear answers but rather to an understanding that reality itself is mutable and often elusive.