Did you know that Miguel Ángel Asturias was not only a Nobel Prize-winning writer, but also a tireless defender of Maya culture and the rights of indigenous peoples? His work transformed Latin American literature, combining history, social denunciation and a literary style that transports you to worlds full of magic and reality.
In this module, you will explore Asturias’ life and literary legacy. You will discover how his novels reflect the history of Guatemala in the 20th century, how he denounced dictatorships through his famous “dictatorship novel,” and how he rescued the Mayan oral tradition in his stories. You will also learn about the impact of magical realism in literature and how Asturias was a pioneer in this style that would later influence writers such as Gabriel García Márquez.
Character Curiosities
- 📝 He translated the Popol Vuh – He was deeply interested in Mayan culture and worked to spread its myths and legends.
- 🔮 His work was censored – Due to his criticism of dictatorial regimes, some of his books were banned in Guatemala.
- 🌟 A universal author – His books have been translated into more than 20 languages and are studied in universities around the world.
