5 essential Hispanic writers to read

• Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month
• Influential Hispanic Writers
• Gabriel García Márquez, Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982

As mentioned on previous occasions, from September 15th to October 15th, National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated.

During this celebration, the contributions and influence of Hispanics in the history, culture, and achievements of the United States are recognized.

Here, we share 5 essential Hispanic writers to read, although there could easily be many more.

In Latin America, we have very important figures in the world of literature that fill us with great pride. Don’t forget to read some of their works.

Gabriel García Márquez, Nobel Prize in Literature

In any list of essential Hispanic writers to read, Gabriel García Márquez must be present.

Originally from Colombia, ‘Gabo’ achieved fame with the acclaimed novel «One Hundred Years of Solitude,» one of the most representative works of magical realism.

In 1982, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature. He is also the author of «No One Writes to the Colonel» and «Love in the Time of Cholera,» among other texts.

The writer passed away on April 17, 2014, after suffering a relapse of the lymphatic cancer diagnosed in 1999.

«I like it when you’re silent…» wrote Pablo Neruda

Now, it’s time for the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, considered one of the most outstanding and influential artists of the last century.

Like García Márquez, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971, as well as an honorary doctorate from the University of Oxford.

He was a prolific author. When you hear the word ‘poetry,’ you immediately remember Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto, his real name.

Unfortunately, he passed away on September 23, 1973, in Santiago, Chile, due to prostate cancer with metastasis.

Julio Cortázar, the ‘forbidden’ author

Julio Cortázar is considered one of the most innovative and original authors of his time, as well as of the short story and poetic prose.

With his book «Rayuela» («Hopscotch») the Argentine writer inaugurated a new way of making literature in the Hispanic world.

He is one of the central figures of the Latin American Boom. He is associated with surrealism and magical realism.

Without renouncing his nationality, he opted for French citizenship in protest against the military dictatorship in his country. He died on February 12, 1984.

Member of the Generation of ’45

Now, within this list of essential Hispanic writers to read, we present the Uruguayan writer Mario Benedetti.

A member of the Generation of ’45, he is one of the most recognized authors in the Spanish language. He published over 80 books.

Furthermore, his texts were translated into more than 20 languages, and he received numerous awards and recognitions, including having an asteroid named after him.

After his death on May 17, 2009, the Mario Benedetti Foundation was created to preserve his work and support literature and human rights activism in Uruguay.

One of the greatest poets of all time

Finally, we present the Mexican poet, essayist, and diplomat Octavio Paz, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1990.

In addition, he received the Cervantes Prize in 1981. He is considered one of the most influential authors of the 20th century and one of the greatest poets of all time.

Apart from these essential writers to read, the Espectáculos BCN portal mentions other highly interesting figures.

Among them, Isabel Allende, Mario Vargas Llosa, Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriela Mistral, and Carlos Fuentes are highlighted.