The following version of the novel was used to create this study guide: Vasquez, Juan Gabriel. Reputations. Riverhead Books, September 20, 2016. Kindle Edition.

The day after Mallarino was given a medal of honor for his work as a political cartoonist, Samanta Leal visited him at his home in the mountains. She hoped he would recognize her from the party she had attended at his home 28 years ago, but he did not. When she finally told Mallarino who she was and why she was there, Mallarino wondered if he could adequately remember the events of that long ago day.

He detailed the events of the party as best he could, as well as the scandal that ensued after Samanta’s father chased Cuéllar, a Congressman, down the stairs from the bedroom where Beatriz and Samanta were sleeping. It was assumed by the other adults, as well as Mallarino who had seen Samanta shortly after Cuéllar had been chased down the stairs, that he had molested Samanta. The girls were passed out because they had drunk the left overs from adult drinks they found scattered about the house. Mallarino discovered that Samanta had been moved from the position in which he had laid her. It appeared her skirt had been lifted and one knee bent. Samanta confided that she had never been told about what had happened nor did she remember anything.

Because Samanta wanted to know exactly what had happened to her, Mallarino got contact information for Cuéllar’s widow. Cuéllar had killed himself shortly after Mallarino had drawn a cartoon suggesting that Cuéllar liked little girls. Mallarino called Rodrigo Valencia, his boss, for the information; but, Rodrigo would not give it because he believed Mallarino was also doubting his own opinion of what had happened. If Mallarino had been wrong about Cuéllar, it would ruin his reputation.

Samanta and Mallarino met on the sidewalk outside the office where Cuéllar’s widow worked. There are no details of the meeting between the two women. The novel ends with Mallarino seeing himself destroying all of his caricatures, pictures, and drawing utensils in the future.