Fernando del Paso Morante

Fernando del Paso Morante[1†]

Fernando del Paso Morante (April 1, 1935 – November 14, 2018) was a Mexican novelist, essayist, and poet[1†][2†]. Born in Mexico City, he spent two years studying economics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)[1†]. Del Paso lived in London for 14 years, where he worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation, and in France, where he worked for Radio France Internationale and briefly served as Consul General of Mexico[1†].

Early Years and Education

Fernando del Paso Morante was born on April 1, 1935, in Mexico City[1†][3†]. From an early age, he showed talent and a taste for literature and drawing[1†][4†]. His initial education took place in his hometown, and after completing high school at the Colegio de San Ildefonso, he entered the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)[1†][4†].

At UNAM, he spent two years studying economics[1†]. This period at the university was significant as it marked the beginning of his journey into the world of literature and arts[1†]. Despite his academic training in economics, his passion for literature and art was evident and would later shape his career[1†][3†][4†].

His early exposure to literature and drawing played a crucial role in shaping his artistic sensibilities. These formative years laid the foundation for his future work as a novelist, essayist, and poet[1†][3†][4†].

Career Development and Achievements

Fernando del Paso Morante’s career was marked by a diverse range of roles, including novelist, essayist, poet, painter, academic, and diplomat[4†]. His literary work has led him to be considered one of the most important and influential Latin American authors of the 20th century[4†].

In the mid-1950s, del Paso began his literary career by developing texts for advertising offices. He also experimented with voice-over and journalism[4†]. His first poetry project, “Sonnet of the daily,” was published in 1958, which allowed him to gain recognition from the public[4†].

Del Paso’s work was broad and encompassed various genres of literature, including novel, poetry, short story, and essay[4†]. His expressive language and reflective themes, often based on the history and culture of his country, characterized his work[4†]. Some of his best-known titles were: “José Trigo,” “Palinuro de México,” “News of the Empire,” and "Sonnets of the daily"[4†].

In addition to his literary work, del Paso also held several exhibitions as a painter[4†]. His artistic talent was recognized in both the literary and visual arts fields[4†].

Throughout his career, Fernando del Paso received several awards and recognitions. These include the Xavier Villaurrutia Award (1966), Rómulo Gallegos Prize (1982), FIL Literature Prize (2007), Alfonso Reyes International Prize (2013), and the Miguel de Cervantes Prize (2015)[4†][1†].

First Publication of His Main Works

Fernando del Paso’s literary journey is marked by the publication of several significant works that have left an indelible mark on Mexican literature[1†][3†].

• Sonetos del amor y de lo diario (1958): This collection of poetry was Del Paso’s first published work[1†]. It reflects his early exploration of the literary world and his mastery of the sonnet form[1†].
• José Trigo (1966): This novel, Del Paso’s first, won him critical acclaim in both Mexico and the United States[1†][3†]. The narrative spans from the prehistoric era to the 1960s, tracing the long history of the area north of what is now Puebla, Mexico[1†][3†].
• Palinuro de México (1976): Translated as Palinuro of Mexico in 1989, this novel is a freewheeling, humorous work in which Del Paso creates an entire semimagical universe[1†][3†].
• Noticias del Imperio (1986): Translated as News from the Empire in 2009, this novel is a re-creation of Mexican history, blending realism with fantasy and horror[1†][3†]. It is considered one of the most important works of Mexican literature[1†][3†].
• Douceur & passion cuisine mexicaine (1991): This book, published in Paris, reflects Del Paso’s interest in Mexican cuisine[1†][4†].
• Linda 67: Historia de un crimen (1995): This novel is another significant contribution to Del Paso’s literary oeuvre[1†].

Each of these works showcases Del Paso’s unique narrative style, his ability to blend humor with serious themes, and his deep understanding of Mexican culture and history[1†][3†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Fernando del Paso’s work is characterized by its complexity and richness, both in terms of narrative techniques and thematic content[1†][2†]. His novels are known for their formal sophistication, with influences from authors such as Joseph Conrad, James Joyce, William Faulkner, Virginia Woolf, Erskine Caldwell, and Thomas Wolfe[1†].

Del Paso’s first novel, José Trigo (1966), is a totalizing work that uses various narrative techniques and is set in the railway workshops of Nonoalco-Tlatelolco during the 1959 railway uprising[1†][2†]. Despite initial adverse criticism due to the difficulty and complexity of the work, it received the Xavier Villaurrutia Award in the same year of its publication[1†][2†].

His second novel, Palinuro de México (1977), is a humorous work in which Del Paso creates an entire semi-magical universe[1†]. His third novel, Noticias del Imperio (1986), is a re-creation of Mexican history, blending realism with fantasy and horror[1†]. This encyclopedic novel is remarkable in that, instead of trying to discover the “truth” about “what really happened,” the author presents a number of possible versions of important and controversial events[1†].

Del Paso’s work is not only significant for its literary merit but also for its historical and cultural relevance. His novels provide a critical perspective on Mexican history and society, making them valuable resources for understanding the complexities of Mexico’s past and present[1†][2†].

In conclusion, Fernando del Paso’s work is characterized by its narrative complexity, thematic richness, and historical and cultural significance. His novels have left an indelible mark on Mexican literature and continue to be celebrated for their literary, historical, and cultural contributions[1†][2†].

Personal Life

Fernando del Paso Morante was born on April 1, 1935, in Mexico City[1†][2†]. He was married to Socorro Gordillo, and they had four children: Fernando, Alejandro, Adriana, and Paulina[1†][2†].

Del Paso lived in London for 14 years, where he worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation[1†][5†]. He also resided in France, where he worked for Radio France Internationale and briefly served as Consul General of Mexico[1†].

In addition to his literary pursuits, Del Paso was also known for his interest in drawing and painting[1†][2†]. His inclination towards these art forms was evident from his early years and continued into his adult life[1†][2†].

Del Paso passed away on November 14, 2018, in Guadalajara, Mexico, at the age of 83[1†][2†][5†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Fernando del Paso Morante’s legacy is marked by his significant contributions to Mexican and Latin American literature[1†][2†]. His three extensive novels, José Trigo (1966), Palinuro de México (1977), and Noticias del Imperio (1987), are considered some of the best examples of Mexican narrative in the 20th century[1†][2†].

Del Paso’s work is characterized by its formal sophistication, totalizing ambition, and the use of various narrative techniques[1†][2†]. His novels often present multiple possible versions of important and controversial events, reflecting a deep understanding of the complexities of history and human experience[1†].

His influence extends beyond literature. Del Paso was also a skilled drawer and painter, and his interest in these art forms was evident throughout his life[1†][2†]. His artistic inclinations added another dimension to his creative output and further enriched his legacy[1†][2†].

Del Paso’s work has been recognized with several international awards, including the Premio Miguel de Cervantes (2015), Alfonso Reyes International Prize (2013), and the Xavier Villaurrutia Award (1966)[1†][2†]. These accolades attest to the enduring impact and significance of his work[1†][2†].

In recognition of his contributions, the Universidad de Guadalajara named the library and media center in Ocotlán, Jalisco, the “Biblioteca Fernando del Paso”. This library is the largest in the western region of Mexico with a collection of 120,000 volumes and a capacity for 800 simultaneous users[1†].

Fernando del Paso Morante passed away on November 14, 2018, but his legacy continues to inspire and influence generations of readers and writers[1†][2†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Fernando del Paso Morante[1†]
• Born: April 1, 1935, Mexico City, Mexico[1†]
• Died: November 14, 2018, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico[1†]
• Nationality: Mexican[1†]
• Occupation: Novelist, Essayist, Poet[1†]
• Notable Works: José Trigo (1966), Palinuro de México (1977), Noticias del Imperio (1987)[1†]
• Notable Achievements: Premio Miguel de Cervantes (2015), Alfonso Reyes International Prize (2013), FIL Literature Prize (2007) Guadalajara International Book Fair, Rómulo Gallegos Prize (1982), Best Novel Published in France Award (1985) for Palinuro of Mexico, Xavier Villaurrutia Award (1966), Mexico Novel Award (1976)[1†]

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Fernando del Paso [website] - link
2. Wikipedia (Spanish) - Fernando del Paso [website] - link
3. Britannica - Fernando del Paso: Mexican author and artist [website] - link
4. WarbletonCouncil.org - Fernando del Paso: biography, style, works and phrases - science - 2024 [website] - link
5. Simple Wikipedia (English) - Fernando del Paso [website] - link