There are plenty of Latino writers whose work flies under the radar and is valuable. The love sonnets of Neruda, the magical realism of Garcia Marquez and the urban immigrant narratives of Junot Diaz are known the world over.
Here are a handful of writers whose words have stuck in our minds and emotions. The list is always growing and changing. You can consider this the start of your summer reading list.
Reinaldo Arenas
Reinaldo Arenas lived a short life. However it was filled with a large body of work. Arenas, who was born in Aguas Claras, Cuba worked as a journalist, librarian and editor on various publications in Cuba. His own work which consisted of numerous novels, stories, essays and a biography. His writing often critiqued the communist government he lived under. His work (which was smuggled and published internationally) and openly gay lifestyle landed him in prison for several years before he fled the island during the Mariel Boatlift. His autobiography Before Night Falls was a New York Times book of the year and was later made into a film starring Javier Bardem.
First Book: El mundo alucinante
Last Book: Adios a mama
Jimmy Santiago Baca
The Chicano poet, writer and memoirist Jimmy Santiago Baca transformed his life through literature. Abandoned as a child, Baca lived on the streets and served time in jail for drugs. It was in jail that the New Mexico native learned to read and began writing poetry. Once he was released from prison he started his writing career and began teaching writing workshops. He has written various volumes of poetry (Immigrants In Our Own Land), plays, screenplays and his memoirs (A Place to Stand). His most famous work is the screenplay for the seminal Latino film, Blood In/Blood Out.
First Book: Immigrants in Our Own Land
Latest Book: A Glass of Water
Benjamin Alire Saenz
Benjamin Alire Saenz was born into a amily of seven children on a farm in New Mexico. He left his rural upbringing to study American literature and theology. The Mexican American author was initially a priest before leaving his order. Saenz has tackled various written forms from novels to poetry to children’s books. He has numerous literary prizes but is best known for blending genres and styles (Carry Me Like Water). He teaches creative writing at the University of Texas at El Paso.
First Book: Calendar of Dust
Latest Book: The Inexplicable Logic of my Life
Daniel Alarcon
Daniel Alarcon is a journalist, storyteller and novelist who has lived several lives. Alarcon was born in Peru and relocated to Birmingham, Alabama as a toddler. He studied at Columbia University where he now teaches broadcast journalism. His writing career began with a collection of short stories (War By Candlelight) and continued with critique, fiction novels and even a graphic novel. He started the NPR podcast Radio Ambulante reporting on hidden stories of Latin America.
First Book: War by Candlelight
Latest Book: At Night We Walk in Circles
Martin Espada
Espada is a Brooklyn born Puerto Rican whose body of work has been concentrated in poetry. His works tackle contemporary issues of justice and humanity. He focuses on the experiences of marginalized communities. This was something he likely saw firsthand as a tenants rights attorney in Boston. His work also includes collections of essays and critiques. His commentary has been banned (Zapata’s Disciple) in Arizona since it was part of the Mexican American Studies Program. He teaches young poets and writers English at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
First Book: The Immigrant Ice Boy’s Bolero
Latest Book: Vivas To Those Who Failed