Augusto Monterroso

Augusto Monterroso[6†]

Augusto Monterroso Bonilla (December 21, 1921 – February 7, 2003) was a Honduran writer who adopted Guatemalan nationality. He is known for the ironical and humorous style of his short stories. Monterroso is considered an important figure in the Latin American “Boom” generation, and received several awards, including the Prince of Asturias Award in Literature (2000), Miguel Ángel Asturias National Prize in Literature (1997), and Juan Rulfo Award (1996)[1†].

Early Years and Education

Augusto Monterroso was born on December 21, 1921, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to a Honduran mother and Guatemalan father[1†]. His early years were marked by constant moves between his parents’ two countries, which made a formal education difficult[1†][4†]. Despite these challenges, Monterroso was a self-taught individual with no more than elementary schooling in his native country[1†][2†].

In 1936, his family settled definitively in Guatemala City, where he would remain until early adulthood[1†]. It was here that Monterroso began his literary journey. As a teenager, he became a member of several literary groups, including the Association of Young Artists[1†][4†]. He published his first short stories and began his clandestine work against the dictatorship of Jorge Ubico[1†].

Monterroso’s early life and education were largely shaped by his experiences in Guatemala City. His self-education and early literary pursuits laid the foundation for his future career as a renowned writer[1†][4†].

Career Development and Achievements

Augusto Monterroso’s career began in Guatemala City, where he published his first short stories and started his clandestine work against the dictatorship of Jorge Ubico[1†]. He founded the newspaper El Espectador with a group of other writers[1†]. In 1944, Monterroso was detained and exiled to Mexico City for his opposition to the dictatorial regime[1†]. Shortly after his arrival in Mexico, the revolutionary government of Jacobo Arbenz triumphed in Guatemala, and Monterroso was assigned to a minor post in the Guatemalan embassy in Mexico[1†]. In 1953, he moved briefly to Bolivia upon being named Guatemalan consul in La Paz[1†].

Monterroso relocated to Santiago de Chile in 1954 when Arbenz’s government was toppled with the help and intervention of the United States of America[1†]. In 1956, he returned definitively to Mexico City, where he would occupy various academic and editorial posts and continue his work as a writer for the rest of his life[1†]. He lived in Mexico from 1944 to April 1996 in a self-imposed political exile[1†][5†].

Monterroso published his first book, "Obras completas y otros cuentos", in 1959[1†][2†]. A ten-year silence followed, during which he worked as an editor for Editorial Universitaria[1†][2†]. Then he published a contemporary renewal of the fable genre in Oveja negra y demás fábulas (1969)[1†][2†]. This book won the Magda Donato Award in 1970 and was translated into English as The Black Sheep and Other Fables (1971)[1†][2†]. In 1972, Monterroso won the Xavier Villaurrutia Award for Movimiento perpetuo[1†][2†].

Monterroso organized a creative writing workshop for the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Institute of Fine Arts) and has had a hand in training most young Mexican writers[1†][2†]. He became a best-selling author in Spain in the 1980s[1†][2†].

In 1988, Augusto Monterroso received the highest honor the Mexican government can bestow on foreign dignitaries, the Águila Azteca[1†]. He was also awarded the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award, in 2000[1†]. In 1997, Monterroso was awarded the Guatemala National Prize in Literature for his body of work[1†].

First Publication of His Main Works

Augusto Monterroso was a prolific writer, and his works have been widely recognized for their ironic and humorous style[1†]. Here are some of his main works:

• "Obras completas (Y otros cuentos)" (1959): This is one of Monterroso’s most well-known works. It was later translated into English as "Complete Works and Other Stories"[1†][4†][6†].
• "La oveja negra y demás fábulas" (1969): This book, is a collection of fables that showcase Monterroso’s unique storytelling style[1†][6†].
• "Movimiento perpetuo" (1972): This work further established Monterroso’s reputation as a master of the short story form[1†][4†][6†].
• "Lo demás es silencio: La vida y la obra de Eduardo Torres" (1978): This novel, is a notable exception to Monterroso’s usual focus on short stories[1†][2†][6†].

Each of these works reflects Monterroso’s distinctive style and his ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through the short story form. His works have had a significant impact on Latin American literature and continue to be studied and appreciated today[1†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Augusto Monterroso’s work is characterized by its ironic and humorous style, which has made him a central figure in the Latin American “Boom” generation[1†]. His mastery of the short story form is evident in his works, and he often delved into analogous genres, most notably the fable, for stylistic and thematic inspiration[1†].

One of Monterroso’s most famous short stories, “The Eclipse,” provides a clear example of his unique storytelling approach[1†][7†]. In this story, Monterroso uses personification to accentuate the savageness of the native Guatemalan people[1†][7†]. The story revolves around an educated priest, Bartolome Arrazola, who is “trapped” by the Guatemalan jungle and feels as if there is no escape[1†][7†]. Monterroso effectively uses the jungle, altar, and sun to satirically represent the “savageness” of the indigenous people of Guatemala[1†][7†]. This allows for the Europeans, who in fact perceived them as being this way, to be seen by the reader in a negative light[1†][7†].

Monterroso’s portrayal of the brutal and boisterous nature of Mayan civilization in contrast to the orderly European society is a recurring theme in his works[1†][8†]. His stories often highlight the cultural differences and misunderstandings between the two societies[1†][9†].

In terms of his legacy, Monterroso is recognized alongside such canonical authors as Julio Cortázar, Carlos Fuentes, Juan Rulfo, and Gabriel García Márquez[1†]. His contributions to the short story form and his unique storytelling style have had a significant impact on Latin American literature[1†].

Personal Life

Augusto Monterroso was married to Bárbara Jacobs[1†]. He moved to Mexico City in 1944, where he lived for the rest of his life, except for a brief period as Guatemalan consul in La Paz, Bolivia (1951–1954), and a short stay in Santiago, Chile (1954–1956)[1†][2†].

In 1988, Monterroso received the highest honor the Mexican government can bestow on foreign dignitaries, the Águila Azteca[1†]. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of San Carlos in Guatemala[1†][2†]. Monterroso died due to heart failure at the age of 81, in Mexico City[1†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Augusto Monterroso is widely recognized as a central figure in the Latin American “Boom” generation, alongside canonical authors such as Julio Cortázar, Carlos Fuentes, Juan Rulfo, and Gabriel García Márquez[1†]. Despite limiting himself almost exclusively to the short story form, his work has had a significant impact on Latin American literature[1†].

Monterroso’s work is known for its flexibility, irony, and humor[1†]. His most famous short story, “The Dinosaur”, is a testament to his ability to convey profound ideas in a concise format[1†]. He worked throughout his career to perfect the short story form, often delving into analogous genres (most famously the fable) for stylistic and thematic inspiration[1†].

In 1988, Monterroso received the highest honor the Mexican government can bestow on foreign dignitaries, the Águila Azteca[1†]. He was also awarded the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award in 2000[1†]. In 1997, Monterroso was awarded the Guatemala National Prize in Literature for his body of work[1†].

Monterroso’s legacy continues to influence contemporary Latin American literature. His commitment to the short story form and his unique style have left an indelible mark on the literary world[1†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Tito Monterroso[10†]
• Born: December 21, 1921, Tegucigalpa, Honduras[10†][1†][10†]
• Died: February 7, 2003, Mexico City, Mexico[10†][1†][10†]
• Nationality: Honduran by birth, adopted Guatemalan nationality[10†][1†][10†]
• Occupation: Short story writer, editor, diplomat[10†][1†]
• Notable Works: “Obras completas y otros cuentos”, “Oveja negra y demás fábulas”, “Movimiento perpetuo”, “Lo demás es silencio”, “Viaje al centro de la fábula”, “La palabra mágica”, “La letra E”, "Antolog’a del cuento triste"[10†][2†]
• Notable Achievements: Prince of Asturias Award in Literature (2000), Miguel Ángel Asturias National Prize in Literature (1997), Juan Rulfo Award (1996), Xavier Villaurrutia Award (1975), Águila Azteca (1988)[10†][1†][2†]

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Augusto Monterroso [website] - link
2. Encyclopedia.com - Monterroso, Augusto (1921–) [website] - link
3. The Modern Novel - Augusto Monterroso [website] - link
4. Encyclopedia.com - Monterroso, Augusto 1921-2003 [website] - link
5. The Princess of Asturias Foundation - Augusto Monterroso - Laureates - Princess of Asturias Awards [website] - link
6. Goodreads - Author: Books by Augusto Monterroso (Author of La oveja negra y demás fábulas) [website] - link
7. Baruch College - In Short Blog - “The Eclipse”- Personification [website] - link
8. Baruch College - In Short Blog - Essay – Imagery for “The Eclipse” [website] - link
9. O:JA&L - Open: Journal of Arts & Letters - Associate Editor Pamelyn Casto-A Featured Series of Close Readings:"A Close Reading of Augusto Monterroso’s-'The Eclipse'” [website] - link
10. AcademiaLab - Augusto Monterroso [website] - link