Latin American Literature Recommendations

[JCamilo]

Obiviously, Borges is a shadow that covers all Latin-American literature of the XX century. Bioy Casares and Cortazar are close writers, even Cortazar is a bit more french than english...
Octavio Paz must be listed around here as well. Ruben Dário also.
In Brazil, Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Guimaraes Rosa (the true great romance writer of Latin America), Mario de Andrade, Graciliano Ramos, Lima Barreto, Monteiro Lobato, Erico Verissimo, Cecilia Meireles, are probally the best names we have...

[JCamilo]

Does anyone know where a Hispanic/Latino American writer can discuss short story writing or am I in the right place?

I plan to write some stories , but they are not just from an American perspective, but from a Hispanic-American perspective.

Since I am a new writer, I need to discuss my work with others for citicism and analysis.

Any help appreciated in this matter.

Then I think you have to consider what the great master of short stories of the XX century, Borges said: Literature does not belong to one place, usually the national names are those who least represents one nation. For this he used to say that Shakespeare was not a true british writer, Goethe was less german than it appears, Cervantes also and himself, he barelly felt as a argie...

He also showed to us that all literature is one and at sametime, so you have to deal with the past writers when you write. Do not try to be a hyspanic writer. Just be a writer.

[ClickForth]

okokok

[NickAdams]

I have a collection of Latin American short stories; it's titled Eye of the Heart and I've enjoyed it for the most part.

Jcamilo makes a good point. If you're identity as a 'Hispanic-American' plays a major role in your life, it will show in your writing.

Learn the craft from all writers and take philosophies from South America, but the latter will surely limit you.

Remember: Garcia-Marquez was influenced by Faulkner.

[Ludmila607]

[I]Poetry: Pablo Neruda
Cesar Vallejo
Amado Nervo

Cortazar
Onetti
Borges
Benedetti
Alfonsina Storni
Idea Vilariño
Marosa di Giorgio
Delmira Agustini
Narrative:
Horacio Quiroga
J Luis Borges
Cortazar
Mauricio Rosencof

Take it easy.
Start by reading some poetry Neruda , Vallejo
Borges can be readed any country because his writting it is timeless and spaceless.
Hope my recomandations are helpful.

[Babbalanja]

I've always loved Latin American literature. I learned Spanish and discovered a whole wealth of great authors.

Juan Jose Arreola is a Mexican author whose satirical, experimental works (like Confabulario and Bestiario) have sometimes been translated into English. I highly recommend his work to those of you who like Borges. Arreola is more comic but no less philosophical.

[bibliophile190]

I love "The Feather Pillow" by Horacio Quiroga. It's one of my favorite short stories. I haven't much other LA literature though.

[stlukesguild]

To those who like Borges, I recommend Adolfo Bioy Casares, they were close friends, and his style resembles Borges' in some aspects.

I would recommend Augusto Monterroso, a Guatemalan writer, even more so... although I certainly do like Casares. Monterroso's collection, Complete Works and Other Stories is published by the University of Texas press and is a fabulous collection of short stories (and essays) that clearly show the Borghesian influence. I guess this cannot be avoided in a sense... rather like an America painter completely ignoring Abstract Expressionism.

[Virgil]

I really enjoyed Mario Vargas Llosa's Death In The Andes. I know he has more critically acclaimed novels, but unfortunately I haven't read them. If they are better than Death In The Andes, then they must be very good.

[Ludmila607]

To those who like Borges, I recommend Adolfo Bioy Casares, they were close friends, and his style resembles Borges' in some aspects.

I would recommend Augusto Monterroso, a Guatemalan writer, even more so... although I certainly do like Casares. Monterroso's collection, Complete Works and Other Stories is published by the University of Texas press and is a fabulous collection of short stories (and essays) that clearly show the Borghesian influence. I guess this cannot be avoided in a sense... rather like an America painter completely ignoring Abstract Expressionism.

I have heard that Borges and Bioy were close friends.And I am talking not about the "friends of fames" that come around whn someone begins to turn a pre4stigiuous author.They were friends really, as the Rioplatenses used to be no so long ago.Going to a coffee, taking a person to your home and spend ten hours talking about everything, sharing time togheter.Like friend from the neighbour they know people in common and they both write.Maybe Borges eclipses Casares for his blinding talent.Capable of memorize the classic on their original language, shy and maybe elitist.I do not still read Casares.I am sure I am going to be surprised.if they were close ans talk the same idiom, knowing the inspiration code...

[Ludmila607]

I love "The Feather Pillow" by Horacio Quiroga. It's one of my favorite short stories. I haven't much other LA literature though.

Unless you re south american I am rerally impressed that you have read Quiroga.I am sure he is one of the best universal writers.He is extraordinary advanced to his time.He have a terrible life that some try to show as "novelistic" but it was a permanent tragedy...
Alfonsina Storni, argentinian poetess seem to have some friendship to Horacio and dedicated a poem after he commit suicide(she will be a suicide too).
His writing it is original, thrilling, dark and can be readed by anyone even if refers to South American landscapes and characters...
he wrote for children too and was tender.
He is great.I am proud cause he is Uruguayan and so I am.

[nebish]

Uruguayan...then why not celebrate Eduardo Galeano .. superb writer

[JCamilo]

I have heard that Borges and Bioy were close friends.And I am talking not about the "friends of fames" that come around whn someone begins to turn a pre4stigiuous author.They were friends really, as the Rioplatenses used to be no so long ago.Going to a coffee, taking a person to your home and spend ten hours talking about everything, sharing time togheter.Like friend from the neighbour they know people in common and they both write.Maybe Borges eclipses Casares for his blinding talent.Capable of memorize the classic on their original language, shy and maybe elitist.I do not still read Casares.I am sure I am going to be surprised.if they were close ans talk the same idiom, knowing the inspiration code...

They are indeed very good friends - not only produced works together as Borges call Bioy "his master" and says that Bioy's influence have changed his early way of writing (borges said he was too barroque).
Of course, that is Borges and his imense modesty.
Their work together are very good, Bioy is indeed more "Human" than Borges, in the sense Borges is sometimes Literature and not a man. In this sense, Borges works are superior than Bioy, but that would be unfair to judge anything like this - Bioy is worth by himself. The Invention of Morel is very good, El Sueno del Heroe (now my memory tricks me with the proper spanish name, but you will probally understand it) is also a good read.

[crisaor]

Ludmila, you can check out Borges, which is a publication of Bioy Casares' personal diary. It deals with their friendship and a wide variety of subjects, among which is discussing literature but also taking gratuitous shots at colleagues and several renown figures. It conveys an image about them very different from that one obtained by reading their books. They also wrote/edited several books together, sometimes under the nom de guerre of Bustos Domeq.

Their work together are very good, Bioy is indeed more "Human" than Borges, in the sense Borges is sometimes Literature and not a man. In this sense, Borges works are superior than Bioy, but that would be unfair to judge anything like this - Bioy is worth by himself. The Invention of Morel is very good, El Sueno del Heroe (now my memory tricks me with the proper spanish name, but you will probally understand it) is also a good read.

Pretty close, that would be El Sueño de los Héroes, but I found the ending to be lacking (and in fact, Bioy postponed the novel in account for his inability to come up with a fitting ending for the story until he came up with the one of the novel, which is somewhat obvious and too efectist, IMO). I'd recommend Diary of the War of the Pig instead (The Invention of Morel is nice, as are some of his short stories).

[Ludmila607]

Uruguayan...then why not celebrate Eduardo Galeano .. superb writer

Oh Uh !I am so very embarrased to forget about Galeano
I Recommend Latin America Open veins¨and I do recommend El libro de los Abrazos, claro How can it be hat title translated:
The embraces Book ,maybe??
He is great I read Las venas Abiertas de America LAtina and I was shocked.May people ignore this terrorific part of our History , that explains waht we came to be what we are.
it is a hard book , hurting for anyone who has a heart...it was hard for me to get free of historical resentiment...and undestand it is not about resentment but about CONSCIENCE and not INGENUITY....
El Libro de los Abrazos it is pure inspiration.Tender ands easy to read.Yes GAleano, uruguayan and universal.He is worried about Latin america hurts and illnessess.
Thanks for reminding me...