He has written numerous novels, authored many essays and articles - Mario Vargas Llosa is one of the most successful writers of our time. In this book, he entertainingly and knowledgeably describes how a good novel is created and what tools the author must master. He uses great novels like Madame Bovary, Moby Dick, and Don Quixote as examples, doing what he himself says is not allowed: dissecting them, breaking them down, and analyzing them in terms of space, time, and narrative characters. Ultimately, he returns to what makes a good novel: its persuasive power, which is achieved not least through the writer's passion and dedication. For literary enthusiasts, students, and scholars, reading this book will open a door to the mystery behind great literature.