'The Big House' (La Casa Grande) by Álvaro Cepeda Samudio is a seminal work of Colombian literature, offering a powerful and unflinching portrayal of violence, injustice, and the collapse of traditional society in the Banana Zone of Colombia during the early 20th century. Through multiple perspectives, the novel reconstructs the chilling events leading up to and following the 1928 Banana Massacre, a pivotal moment in the nation's history. Cepeda Samudio masterfully blends historical fact with mythical elements, creating a profound commentary on the abuse of power, the exploitation of workers, and the enduring scars left on a community struggling with oppression. Its fragmented narrative mirrors the broken reality it depicts, making it a crucial text for understanding Latin American social and political landscapes.