"Contemporary theory (Bakhtin, Hutcheon, Todorov) combined with careful and extensive readings of primary and secondary colonial Spanish-American and Spanish works provides historians, literary critics, and students with an important guide and outstanding resource. Johnson's analyses of these texts and her discussion of literary influences illuminate the colonial works examined while also indicating the themes and literary styles that inspire contemporary Spanish-American writers. Very valuable book for specialist, students, and of interest to general reader"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.