Mario Vargas Llosa: "Nunca me he sentido un extranjero gracias a los libros" | EL PAÍS

Summary

In this reflective interview, the speaker discusses the profound influence of literature on their life and identity. From a young age, books allowed them to feel at home in various countries, transcending feelings of foreignness. They highlight pivotal works such as *Les Misérables*, *Madame Bovary*, and *Light in August*, which shaped their perspective on human experience and writing. Despite early resistance from their father, who sent them to a military school, literature became their refuge and path to becoming a writer. Ultimately, reading not only expanded their world but also deepened their understanding of culture and life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has always strived to feel at home in every country they have lived in, avoiding the feeling of being a foreigner.
• 😀 Books have played a significant role in connecting the speaker to different countries, with their home being primarily a place of books.
• 😀 The speaker has an extensive library, including thousands of books donated to a library in their hometown, Arequipa.
• 😀 Aside from literature, the speaker enjoys reading history, political books, and philosophy, particularly those related to politics.
• 😀 The speaker also has an interest in theater and poetry, with poetry being an area they began exploring as a writer.
• 😀 The speaker’s father initially discouraged their literary ambitions, enrolling them in a military school to avoid them becoming a writer.
• 😀 The military school, however, became the place where the speaker first began writing, helping fellow cadets by responding to love letters.
• 😀 The speaker was deeply impacted by the novel *Les Misérables* by Victor Hugo, which left a lasting impression due to its powerful portrayal of heroism.
• 😀 Another influential book for the speaker was *Madame Bovary* by Gustave Flaubert, whose writing style inspired them and helped shape their own as a writer.
• 😀 William Faulkner, particularly his novel *Light in August*, had a profound influence on the speaker’s writing, leading them to learn English to read Faulkner’s works in their original form.
• 😀 The speaker praises *Don Quixote* as the pinnacle of Spanish literature and mentions *Tirant lo Blanc* as a highly significant work, despite its relative obscurity in Spain at the time.
• 😀 The speaker cherishes having first editions of *Les Misérables* and *Madame Bovary*, books that have been central to their literary life and admiration for these authors.
• 😀 The speaker’s love for books began at a young age when they learned to read at the age of five, and they describe the transformative power of books to take them to other countries and cultures.

Q & A

How does the speaker view the concept of home in different countries?

The speaker mentions that they always strive to feel at home in every country they've lived in. They dislike the idea of feeling like a foreigner and instead try to connect with each place through books.

What is the significance of books in the speaker's life?

Books are central to the speaker's life, serving as a way to connect with different cultures and countries. The speaker has a large collection of books, including novels, essays, and political and philosophical texts, which they actively read and share with others.

What was the speaker's first encounter with literature?

The speaker started reading literature at a young age. They were influenced by their father, who enrolled them in a military school, possibly to steer them away from a literary career. Interestingly, the speaker began writing when they were in the military school, helping their peers write letters to their girlfriends.

Which works of literature had a profound impact on the speaker?

Two key works that deeply impacted the speaker are 'Les Misérables' by Victor Hugo and 'Madame Bovary' by Gustave Flaubert. The speaker mentions that the heroism depicted in 'Les Misérables' and the dramatic nature of Emma Bovary's suicide in 'Madame Bovary' had a lasting emotional influence on them.

How did Flaubert influence the speaker's writing style?

Flaubert had a major influence on the speaker, teaching them the importance of form and structure in writing. The speaker admired Flaubert's detailed craftsmanship and how he meticulously worked on the structure of his novels.

What other writer had a significant influence on the speaker, and why?

The speaker mentions William Faulkner, particularly his novel 'Light in August.' Faulkner's profound exploration of the Southern United States and his ability to depict complex themes intellectually and emotionally left a deep impression on the speaker.

What role does 'Don Quixote' play in the speaker's perspective on literature?

The speaker acknowledges 'Don Quixote' as the pinnacle of Spanish literature. They also mention another novel praised by Cervantes, 'Tirant lo Blanch,' which they believe is a significant work of literature that is not widely known despite its importance.

Why did the speaker find 'Tirant lo Blanch' so intriguing?

The speaker finds 'Tirant lo Blanch' fascinating because it offers a comprehensive view of medieval Spanish life, from palaces and military life to personal relationships, with remarkable freedom and a different perspective on gender roles for its time.

What is the speaker's connection to 'Les Misérables' and 'Madame Bovary'?

The speaker treasures the first editions of both 'Les Misérables' and 'Madame Bovary,' as they admire these works greatly. These books, especially because of their historical and personal significance, are not for lending.

What is the speaker's relationship with reading and traveling?

The speaker highlights that reading has always been a form of travel for them. Growing up in Bolivia, books allowed them to explore different countries, including the United States, England, and France. This sense of exploration through literature remains a cherished part of their life.