A book a day: Juan Rulfo: The Golden Rooster

Juan Rulfo established himself, with only two books, as one of the most important writers in Spanish of the 20th century. However, he wrote other texts that did not reach the fame of Pedro Páramo or El Llano en llamas, or that simply did not see the light of day during the author’s lifetime. One of them is El gallo de oro, a short novel that, although it does not reach the greatness of those mentioned above, contains many characteristic elements of Rulfo: desert landscapes, characters guided by fate, transformative violence, vernacular speech, inter alia. Furthermore, The Golden Cockerel presents notable differences because it was originally conceived as a film script, which is reflected in its linear structure, more detailed descriptions of the scenery, and clear transitions between scenes.

Dionisio, crier and shouter, almost an outcast from a remote town in Mexico, sees his luck change when he rescues a fighting cock from death. This golden rooster becomes his escape route from the miserable life he led with his mother. When she dies, Dionisio travels, with his fighting cock under his arm, to fairs and palenques, where he meets ‘La Caponera’, an indomitable fair singer. La Caponera becomes his lucky talisman, creating with him a fortune from the game of cards and the blood of fighting cocks. However, the doom that characterizes Rulfo’s world eventually manifests itself, forcing them to confront their own destinies.

The Golden Rooster is a work that, although it does not reach the notoriety of other writings by Juan Rulfo, presents a significant literary wealth through its narrative style and the depth of its characters. Its strengths lie in Rulfo’s ability to create evocative environments and explore universal themes with an admirable economy of language. However, certain limitations in plot and secondary character development may make the reading experience less impactful for some. Overall, it is a novel that faithfully reflects Rulfo’s characteristic universe (if you wish, see it as a spin-off, or as another story to Llano en llamas), offering an intimate look at the human struggle against adversity and destination. A gem for lovers of the Rulfoverse.