Mónica Ojeda

Mónica Ojeda[2†]

Mónica Ojeda Franco, born in Guayaquil, Ecuador in 1988, is an acclaimed Ecuadorian novelist, short story writer, and poet[1†][2†]. She has demonstrated an affinity for literature from an early age, which led her to participate and achieve victories in numerous intercollegiate story contests from the tender age of thirteen[1†]. This passion for literature motivated her to deepen her understanding of the subject, leading her to obtain her Bachelor’s degree from the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. She then traveled to Barcelona to complete a Master’s degree in creative writing at the Universidad Pompeu Fabra[1†][2†]. Currently residing in Madrid, Ojeda is actively pursuing her doctorate[1†][2†].

Early Years and Education

Mónica Ojeda Franco was born in 1988 in Guayaquil, Ecuador[1†][2†]. From a young age, she demonstrated a strong affinity for literature, which led her to participate in numerous intercollegiate story contests from the tender age of thirteen[1†][2†]. This early passion for literature was a significant influence on her educational path.

Ojeda sought to deepen her understanding of literature and communication by obtaining her Bachelor’s degree from the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil[1†][2†]. Her thirst for knowledge and her desire to refine her writing skills led her to Barcelona, where she completed a Master’s degree in creative writing at the Universidad Pompeu Fabra[1†][2†].

Currently residing in Madrid, Ojeda is actively pursuing her doctorate[1†][2†]. Her academic journey reflects her commitment to literature and her continuous effort to enhance her writing abilities. This solid educational background has undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping her as one of the most promising young writers in Latin America[1†][2†].

Career Development and Achievements

Mónica Ojeda’s career as a writer is marked by her diverse body of work, spanning several genres such as poetry, novels, and short stories[1†][2†]. Her debut novel, “La desfiguración Silva,” published in 2014, won the Alba Narrative Award, cementing her position as a formidable new voice in Latin American literature[1†][2†]. The following year, her poetic exploration of the fragility of childhood, “El ciclo de las piedras,” earned her the Desembarco National Poetry Award[1†][2†].

In 2016, Ojeda’s second novel, “Nefando,” pushed the boundaries of contemporary Latin American literature, exploring complex and often taboo themes of the body, sexuality, and violence[1†]. The novel was honored with a mention of honor from the Miguel Donoso Pareja Short Novel Award in 2015[1†].

Her third novel, “Mandíbula” (2018), garnered widespread critical acclaim and was lauded as “one of the novels of the season” by Spanish newspaper El Pais[1†][2†]. This unnerving tale of a teenager with a horror story obsession who is abducted by her literature teacher catapulted Ojeda into the international literary limelight[1†][2†].

In 2020, she was selected as one of the five finalists for the sixth edition of the Ribera del Duero Short Story Award with her unpublished book of short stories “El mundo de arriba y el mundo de abajo,” in which she explores through horror themes such as gender violence, abortion, sexuality, and religion in a style she defined as "Andean Gothic"[1†][2†].

Throughout her career, she has gained significant recognition, including her inclusion in the prestigious Bogota39 in 2017, which celebrates the most promising young Latin American writers[1†][2†]. Other esteemed members of the Bogota39 include Samanta Schweblin, Mariana Torres, Gabriela Jauregui, Liliana Colanzi, María José Caro, and Lola Copacabana[1†][2†].

First Publication of Her Main Works

Mónica Ojeda’s literary career is marked by her exploration of diverse genres, including poetry, novels, and short stories. Her works have been recognized for their innovative themes and stylistic boldness[1†][2†].

• “La desfiguración Silva” (2015): This debut novel won the Alba Narrative Award in 2014, marking Ojeda’s emergence as a significant new voice in Latin American literature[1†][2†].
• “Nefando” (2016): This novel explores complex and often taboo themes of the body, sexuality, and violence. It was honored with a mention of honor from the Miguel Donoso Pareja Short Novel Award in 2015[1†][2†]. The novel was translated into English as “Nefando” by Sarah Booker in 2023[1†][2†].
• “Mandíbula” (2018): This novel tells the story of a teenage girl obsessed with horror stories and creepypastas who is kidnapped by her literature teacher[1†][2†]. The book was widely acclaimed by critics upon its publication, with the Spanish newspaper El Pais calling it “one of the novels of the season”[1†][2†]. In 2022, “Mandíbula” was translated into English by Sarah Booker and published by Coffee House Press as “Jawbone” — a translation that has been highly praised by critics and is currently a longlist nominee for the National Book Award in the U.S. in the translation category[1†][2†].
• “El ciclo de las piedras” (2015): This poetic exploration of the fragility of childhood earned her the Desembarco National Poetry Award[1†].
• “Historia de la leche” (2019): This is another one of her poetry collections[1†][3†].
• “Caninos” (2017) and “Las voladoras” (2020): These are collections of her short stories[1†][4†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Mónica Ojeda’s work has been widely recognized for its innovative themes and stylistic boldness[5†][6†]. Her writing is captivating because it uses language that skirts the supernatural and the fantastic, containing a violence that reflects the political and social contexts of a region that refuses to stop bleeding[5†].

Her writing rummages through the occult, in those corners of reality that are relegated to shadow such that the world should not shake and chaos should not devour us[5†]. Sexuality that unfurls as perversely as it does naturally, volatile limits between pain and pleasure, brilliance rendered madness, and the normalized violence that throttles our everyday existence are all present in her stories[5†]. They disturb readers just as they seduce them, obliging us to face the brutality that dwells within us[5†].

Ojeda’s work is literature that betrays the triumph of the ominous, the latent permanence of evil in our lives[5†]. Her writing makes the decisions, not her. Writing is always a kind of digression from what one chooses or believes they choose[5†][6†]. Her mind functions by galloping between the real and symbolic, the plausible and implausible, the modern and mythic, light and dark[5†][6†].

In her work, reality coexists with impossibility, implausibility, the gloomy, and the mundane. One could say there is a routine of the extraordinary in her writing[5†][6†]. Her novels disrupt notions of perversity, terror, shock, but that are still extremely real[5†][6†].

Personal Life

Mónica Ojeda currently residing in Madrid, Ojeda is actively pursuing her doctorate[1†][2†]. Despite her success and recognition in the literary world, Ojeda maintains a relatively private personal life. Her work, however, provides some insight into her personal philosophy and worldview.

In an interview, Ojeda revealed that her writing is driven by fear and desire[6†]. She describes her creative process as a journey between the real and symbolic, the plausible and implausible, the modern and mythic, light and dark[6†]. This duality is evident in her novels, which often explore complex and taboo themes such as gender violence, abortion, sexuality, and religion[6†][2†].

Ojeda’s work is not just a reflection of her imagination, but also her personal experiences and observations. Her novels, particularly “Nefando” and “Mandíbula”, are deeply rooted in reality, despite their exploration of extraordinary and often disturbing themes[6†]. This blend of reality and fiction, the ordinary and the extraordinary, is a testament to Ojeda’s unique perspective on life and literature[6†].

Despite her growing fame, Ojeda remains grounded. She views her novels as past obsessions, fires that were put out but are recalled with amazement[6†]. She finds joy in the fact that her work continues to live on in the minds and hearts of her readers[6†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Mónica Ojeda’s work has left an indelible mark on contemporary Latin American literature[6†][1†]. Her novels, which explore complex and often taboo themes, have pushed the boundaries of what is considered possible in literature[6†][1†]. Her unique blend of reality and fiction, the ordinary and the extraordinary, has not only earned her critical acclaim but also a dedicated readership[6†].

Ojeda’s novels, particularly “Nefando” and “Mandíbula”, continue to be read and celebrated years after their publication[6†]. The fifth edition of “Nefando” and the eighth edition of “Mandíbula” were published in 2023, attesting to the enduring appeal of her work[6†]. Her novels are not just books, but living entities that continue to inspire and challenge readers[6†].

Ojeda is considered a figurehead of the newest generation of Ecuadorian fiction writers, and her work has the potential to reach the highest peaks of contemporary world literature[6†][5†]. Her name resonates in the new canon of Latin American women writers, representing the Andean gothic[6†][5†]. This recognition, along with her inclusion in the prestigious Bogota39 list, underscores her significant contribution to Latin American literature[6†][1†].

Despite her success, Ojeda remains humble and grounded. She views her novels as past obsessions, fires that were put out but are recalled with amazement[6†]. This humility, coupled with her undeniable talent, makes her a truly remarkable figure in the literary world[6†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Mónica Ojeda Franco[1†][2†]
• Born: 1988, Guayaquil, Ecuador[1†][2†]
• Nationality: Ecuadorian[1†][2†]
• Occupation: Novelist, Short Story Writer, Poet[1†][2†]
• Education: Bachelor’s degree from the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Master’s degree from the Universidad Pompeu Fabra de Barcelona[1†][2†]
• Notable Works: “La desfiguración Silva”, “Nefando”, “Mandíbula”, “El ciclo de las piedras”, "Historia de la leche"[1†][2†][3†]
• Notable Achievements: Named as one of the Bogota39, a selection of the most talented and promising young writers in Latin America[1†][2†]. Her novel “Mandíbula” was described as “one of the novels of the season” by the Spanish newspaper El Pais[1†][2†].

References and Citations:

1. Ecuadorian Literature - Mónica Ojeda [website] - link
2. Wikipedia (English) - Mónica Ojeda [website] - link
3. National Book Foundation - Mónica Ojeda [website] - link
4. Latin American Literature Today - Mónica Ojeda [website] - link
5. Latin American Literature Today - On Mónica Ojeda [website] - link
6. Latin American Literature Today - “My Writing Comes from Fear and Desire”: A Conversation with Mónica Ojeda [website] - link