Augusto Roa Bastos (1917–2005) was a Paraguayan novelist, short-story writer, and screenwriter, recognized as one of Latin America’s most influential literary figures. His works explored dictatorship, oppression, and Paraguayan identity.
Born in Asunción, Paraguay, Roa Bastos grew up bilingual in Spanish and Guaraní, shaping his literary style. He served in the Chaco War (1932–35) before turning to literature. His first major publication, El trueno entre las hojas (1953, Thunder Among the Leaves,) was a short-story collection addressing social injustice.
His novel Hijo de hombre (1960, Son of Man) depicted Paraguay’s turbulent history and earned critical acclaim. Later, El baldío (1966) portrayed Paraguayan exiles, while Los pies sobre el agua (1967) and Madera quemada (1967) explored existential themes.
His most ambitious work, Yo el Supremo (1974, I, the Supreme,) was an experimental novel based on José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia, Paraguay’s 19th-century dictator, cementing his status as a master of political fiction.
From 1976 to 1985, he taught at the University of Toulouse II in France. After Paraguay’s dictatorship ended in 1989, he moved freely between Paraguay and France. His later works, Vigilia del almirante (1992,) El fiscal (1993,) and Contravida (1994,) reinforced his literary legacy.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Augusto Roa Bastos
In all nations an exceptional man exists that compensates the deficiencies of the remainder. In those moments, when humanity is found collectively in a state of decadence, there always remain those exceptional beings as point of reference.
—Augusto Roa Bastos
Topics: Nation
Anyone who attempts to relate his life loses himself in the immediate. One can only speak of another.
—Augusto Roa Bastos
Topics: Autobiography, Legacy
The things that have come into being change continually. The man with a good memory remembers nothing because he forgets nothing.
—Augusto Roa Bastos
Topics: Change
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