By Isabel Paz, MALAS student
Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel Prize-winning Peruvian author, passed away on April 13, 2025. Renowned as a central figure of the Latin American Boom, his works, including The Time of the Hero, Conversations in the Cathedral, and The Feast of the Goat, delve into the complexities of Latin American society, politics, and history, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential literary voices of the region.
Born in Arequipa, Peru, Vargas Llosa’s early struggles with his father and experiences at a military school deeply influenced his writing, as reflected in The Time of the Hero. Over his prolific career, he authored more than 50 works, spanning novels, essays, and plays. His narratives, often rich in social and political critique, resonated across the globe, shedding light on the struggles of the Latin American people.
A pivotal figure in the literary world, his relationship with Colombian Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez was marked by both intellectual camaraderie and eventual estrangement. Vargas Llosa’s thesis-turned-book on García Márquez remains a landmark analysis, though their falling-out remains steeped in mystery.
Politically, Vargas Llosa’s journey was equally significant. Initially a supporter of Fidel Castro, he later voiced disappointment with the Cuban regime. His 1990 bid for the Peruvian presidency underscored his commitment to social change, though he was ultimately defeated.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in 2010, he was celebrated for his exploration of power in society. His works, often adapted into films, continue to impact readers globally. Vargas Llosa’s contributions to literature and culture remain unparalleled, ensuring his voice endures as a cornerstone of Latin American heritage. His passing marks the end of an era, but his literary brilliance lives on.
Find books by and about Mario Vargas Llosa at UF LACC:
- Conversación en la catedral 1999; LAC (PQ8498.32.A65 C6 1999)
- El sueño del celta 2010; LAC (PQ8498.32.A65 S84 2010)
- La ciudad y los perros 2020; LAC (PQ8498.32.A65 C5 2020)
- La tía Julia y el escribidor 1999; LAC (PQ8498.32.A65 T52 1999)
- Pantaleón y las visitadoras 1999; LAC (PQ8498.32.A65 P3 1999)
- Travesuras de la niña mala 2006; LAC (PQ8498.32.A65 T72 2006)
- Mario Vargas Llosa : la libertad y la vida Vilela, Sergio.; Cueto, Alonso; Szyszlo, Fernando de.; Cooper Llosa, Frederick.; Ossio A., Juan M.; Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.; Editorial Planeta Perú.; Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Centro Cultural. 2008; LAC (PQ8498.32.A65 Z72 2008)