Mario Vargas Llosa, the Peruvian Literary Titan, Passes Away at 89

The renowned Peruvian writer and esteemed figure in Latin American literature, Mario Vargas Llosa, passed away in Lima at the age of 89.

Álvaro Vargos Llosa, the author’s son, declared on Sunday via a social media post that his father had “gently passed away in Lima… with his family around him.” The announcement was signed by Álvaro along with his siblings Gonzalo and Morgana.

\”Their sadness will be shared among his family members, his circle of friends, and his global audience of readers; however, we trust that they will take solace, just like us, in knowing that he had a lengthy, exciting, and productive life, leaving behind a legacy of work that will endure beyond him,\” stated the message.

In 1936, Vargas Llosa was born in the southern Peruvian city of Arequipa. During his early years, following his parents\’ divorce when he was still very young, he lived in Cochabamba, Bolivia, along with his mother and grandparents.

When he returned to Peru at the age of 10, he was enrolled in a military academy between the ages of 14 and 16. This experience inspired his groundbreaking novel published in 1963.
The Moment of the Warrior
The book enraged the Peruvian authorities, leading them to destroy 1,000 copies.

This piece of work and other early novels, including
The Green House
(1966) and
Conversation in the Cathedral
In 1969, he would secure his position as one of the principal contributors to the Latin American Boom literary movement of the 1960s and \’70s, rubbing shoulders with notable contemporaries such as Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar, and Carlos Fuentes.

In 1958, Vargas Llosa relocated to Madrid, followed by a move to Paris in 1959 where he resided until 1966. It was after departing from his homeland of Peru that he later claimed he gained insight into his role as a Latin American author.

An abundant author, reporter, and essayist during his lifetime, he produced over 50 literary works. Several of his books have been turned into movies and television shows, among them his 1977 novel.
Aunt Julia and the Screenwriter
Inspired by his initial union with author Julia Urquidi.

Jon Amiel adapted the book for the big screen in 1990 with the same title.
Tune in Tomorrow
William Boyd penned the screenplay, and the cast included Barbara Hershey, Keanu Reeves, and Peter Falk.

More recently, TelevisaUnivision\’s
Vix+
Streaming platform adapted Vargas Llosa’s novel from 2010.
Mischiefs of the Naughty Girl
(
The Bad Girl
It was expanded into a 10-episode series in 2022, and was also in development.
a new show based
on his 1973 work
Captain Pantoja and the Special Services
.

Most recently, his novel
Tattoos in Memory
, concerning a one-time terrorist and military personnel who transforms into a Franciscan priest, was adapted for the big screen in Peru by his cousin, the filmmaker Luis Llosa.
Anaconda
) set for release in August 2024.