Jorge Mario Pedro Vargas Llosa, 1st Marquess of Vargas Llosa, known simply as Mario Vargas Llosa, is a renowned Peruvian writer and intellectual born on March 28, 1936 in the southern city of Arequipa, Peru. He is considered one of the most important figures in Latin American literature and a leading voice of the Latin American Boom, a literary movement that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. Vargas Llosa grew up in a family of intellectuals and had a passion for literature from a young age. In the early 1960s, he moved to Paris to pursue his literary career and wrote his first novel, "The Time of the Hero," which was based on his experiences at a military academy in Peru.
His breakthrough novel, "The Green House," published in 1965, established Vargas Llosa as a major literary figure in Latin America and beyond. He went on to write a series of acclaimed novels, including "Conversation in the Cathedral," "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter," "The War of the End of the World," "The Feast of the Goat," and "The Bad Girl," among others. His work often explores political and social themes, including dictatorship, corruption, and the clash between tradition and modernity. This is a very notable characteristic of Latin American literature due to the fact that the sociopolitical panorama of Latin America has always been a poor one, and has heavily affected how the psyche of these writers developed.
In addition to his literary achievements, Vargas Llosa has been a prominent public and academic figure. He has been a professor at several universities, including Cambridge, Harvard, and Princeton, and has been involved in politics throughout his life. He ran for president of Peru in 1990, but was defeated by Alberto Fujimori. He has also been a vocal critic of left-wing movements in Latin America, including the Cuban revolution and the regime of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela.
Vargas Llosa's contributions to literature have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010, the Cervantes Prize in 1994, and the Jerusalem Prize in 1995. He has also been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the United States government and has been a member of the Royal Spanish Academy since 1996.
Mario Vargas Llosa is still an active writer and public intellectual, and his work continues to inspire and influence generations of readers and writers around the world.
So, why do we keep reading him?
The simple answer: because of his writing style!
Mario Vargas Llosa's writing style is characterized by its richness, complexity, and versatility, and is well-known for his ability to blend various narrative techniques, experiment with different literary genres, and explore diverse themes and perspectives. Below you'll find some key aspects of his writing style:
- Multilayered Narratives: Vargas Llosa often weaves together multiple storylines and perspectives within a single narrative, creating intricate and interconnected plots. He skillfully moves between different time periods and locations, incorporating flashbacks, parallel narratives, and shifting points of view.
- Psychological Depth: Vargas Llosa delves into the psychological complexities of his characters, exploring their inner thoughts, desires, and conflicts. He presents a nuanced understanding of human nature, delving into the depths of the human psyche and portraying characters with both strengths and flaws. None of his characters are idealizations of perfection, which is what gives them this grimy layer of crude realness.
- Political and Social Commentary: Vargas Llosa frequently addresses political and social issues in his works, given his profound interest in sociopolitical matters. He critiques authoritarianism, corruption, and social injustices, often drawing from his own experiences and observations of Latin American society. His novels often serve as a platform to explore and analyze historical and contemporary political contexts, which is extremely important given the lack of media coverage in Latin American countries due to the widespread political repression and corruption.
- Vivid Descriptions: Vargas Llosa has a gift for vivid and detailed descriptions that bring his settings to life; he simply paints pictures made of words. Whether it's a bustling city, a remote village, or a lush landscape, his prose evokes a strong sense of being present. He pays attention to sensory details, capturing the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of his fictional worlds.
- Intellectual Depth: Known for his intellect and erudition, Vargas Llosa incorporates philosophical, historical, and cultural references into his works. He engages with complex ideas and explores philosophical and existential questions, often challenging readers to think critically and reflect on the human condition. His text are like a braid made of ideas.
- Fluid and Elegant Prose: Vargas Llosa's prose is characterized by its elegance, precision, and fluidity. His writing flows smoothly, with well-crafted sentences and a careful attention to language. He has a knack for capturing the rhythm and cadence of dialogue, adding authenticity and vitality to his characters' conversations.
Where to start?
- The Bad Girl (2006)
The story follows the tumultuous relationship between Ricardo Somocurcio, a young Peruvian man, and the enigmatic and seductive woman known as "the Bad Girl." Set against the backdrop of the social and political changes of the 1960s to the 2000s, the narrative spans different continents and explores themes of love, identity, the pursuit of dreams, longing, desire, and the search for fullfilment, portraying the complexities and contradictions of human relationships
- Making Waves (1996)
This compilation of 40 essays is an absolute gem, and is a much lesser known book by this infamous writer. It feels like sitting down for a coffee with him; he writes about politics, literature, popular culture, the writer's vocation, etc. His perspectives vary greatly throughout the book: angry, sad, sentimental, exhasoerated, inspired. It opens the door into his mind, and we discover so much about the writer and his journey as a Latin American icon: it is fascinating, for example, to read how Vargas Llosa's first novel was burned and denounced. It's AMAZING, please pick it up.
Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter revolves around the unlikely romance between Marito, a young law student and aspiring writer, and his beautiful and mysterious aunt-in-law, Julia. The story is a vibrant exploration of love between two people with a big age gap and a large societal disapproval. Their love affair is portrayed with humor, wit, and a touch of scandal, as they navigate the complexities of their age difference. The novel intertwines Marito's personal story with the comical escapades of Pedro Camacho, a radio scriptwriter with an overactive imagination. Pedro's fictional radio dramas take on a life of their own, featuring outrageous characters and convoluted plotlines that captivate the listeners. As Marito becomes involved in the world of radio and works alongside Pedro, their lives and stories intersect, blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction.
"The War of the End of the World" is a historical novel that delves into the fascinating and tumultuous Canudos rebellion in late 19th-century Brazil. The story portrays the clash between the impoverished and marginalized inhabitants of Canudos, led by the charismatic prophet Antonio Conselheiro, and the forces of the Brazilian government. Through vivid descriptions and intricate character portrayals, Vargas Llosa explores themes of faith, power, social inequality, and the destructive consequences of fanaticism. This epic and thought-provoking novel offers a captivating narrative that reflects on the complexities of human nature and the devastating impact of ideological conflicts.
- The Time of the Hero (1963)
This groundbreaking novel examines the harsh realities of life in a military academy in Peru. The story follows a group of adolescent cadets as they navigate the oppressive environment of the Leoncio Prado Military Academy, with its strict hierarchy, violence, and corruption. The novel sheds light on the complexities of human relationships and the lasting effects of authoritarianism, as well as the detrimental effect of excessive macho culture. It is a powerful and thought-provoking work that showcases Vargas Llosa's mastery of storytelling and his ability to address profound social and psychological issues.
- The Feast of the Goat (2000)
This historical novel interweaves past and present to explore the final days of Rafael Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. It is an extremely interesting narrative that follows various characters, including Urania Cabral, the daughter of a prominent politician who returns to the country after many years. Vargas Llosa masterfully portrays the brutal regime of Trujillo, depicting the dictator's tyrannical rule, the atmosphere of fear and oppression, and the individuals who conspire against him. Through vivid storytelling, the novel delves into themes of power, corruption, memory, and the long-lasting scars of authoritarianism, offering a compelling and haunting examination of a dark period in Dominican history.
