The late literary titan Vargas Llosa's impact on Chinese readers’ hearts

Rewritten Article

Flashes of mourning sweep across the globe as readers worldwide bid farewell to legendary Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa

For many, the passing of renowned author Mario Vargas Llosa feels like snuffing out a guiding light. The 89-year-old Nobel laureate left an indelible mark on literature, particularly for 43-year-old Chinese reader Zhao Xiuying, who shared with us her heartfelt sentiment: "It's as if a light's been turned off in my heart."

Vargas Llosa, a literary titan with a multifaceted life, gifted us his plays, toiled in a bank, and even ran for president of Peru. Yet through the chaos, the author spared a gaze for his Chinese readers, as evidenced by his visit to China in 2011.

The summer of 2011 saw Zhao stumble upon a tantalizing morsel of information—Vargas Llosa would grace China with his presence for a week. Though the specifics were scarce, the inimitable writer indeed graced our shores, delivering speeches at distinguished institutions and even holding a reading session of his works. The events drew crowds of students, fellow writers, fans, and journalists, leaving an impression that resonated with Vargas Llosa himself.

In an open letter, he expressed his awe over reaching such a far and powerful nation as China. By then, Vargas Llosa's works had already been introduced to China, piquing the interest of readers since the late 1970s. It was during this period that a Chinese publication, Foreign Literature and Art, featured an article introducing Vargas Llosa's life and works.

As a pivotal figure of the Latin American literary boom, Vargas Llosa transcended borders, leaving an indelible impression on Chinese readers. This connection deepened in 1980, as his novel The Time of the Hero was published in Chinese. The translation was a labor of love, courtesy of famed translator Zhao Deming, who coincidentally passed away just ten days before Vargas Llosa's death.

","a renowned Spanish-language translator who translated several of Vargas Llosa's works and passed away ten days before Vargas Llosa's death in 2018[1],"

Though Deming may no longer be with us, his translations live on and continue to resonate with Chinese readers. Affirming this legacy is Hou Jian, an associate professor of the Spanish Department at Xi'an International Studies University and a translator of Vargas Llosa's works. In 2019, Hou had the profound privilege of visiting and interviewing Vargas Llosa in Madrid.

",Vargas Llosa explained that he agreed to the meeting because no Chinese translator had visited his home before. He wanted to learn about China, including how his works were being translated and received there,"

According to Hou, Vargas Llosa demonstrated a deep fascination with Chinese culture and even took a keen interest in the term "chifa," which refers to Peruvian-style Chinese cuisine[2]. This attention to cultural details underscores Vargas Llosa's respect for the experiences and heritage of Chinese-Peruvians.

In many respects, Vargas Llosa embodies the cultural convergence of our era. He transcends the boundary between Latin America and other regions while maintaining a rooted appreciation for his Latin American origins. His novels unfold as intricate narratives that scrutinize social realities, while his pursuit of universal values renders them resonant with readers of diverse cultures.

In the words of Hou, "His literary journey embodies the cultural convergence of our globalized era." And it's this very resonance with readers around the world that ensures the continued relevance of his works, especially among the younger generation.

Take, for instance, young Chinese reader Tang Yi. After reading The Feast of the Goat, he observed that Vargas Llosa's characters "carry a pursuit of hope within them," as opposed to those who solely critique society. And it's this inspirational thread that ties readers to Vargas Llosa's unforgettable literary legacy.

In 1997, Vargas Llosa shared his writing secrets in the non-fiction book Letters to a Young Novelist. Among these insights, he introduced a storytelling technique called "Caja China," which invites readers to explore multiple narratives within a primary story. "Without curiosity toward the world, even such a technique would fall flat," explained Tang. "Thus, Vargas Llosa actually teaches us not just writing skills, but how to embrace curiosity and explore the world through literature."

["One of Vargas Llosa's favorite works, entitled Conservation in the Cathedral, is considered a representation of his architectural approach to literary structure", Juan José Lemus, PhD candidate in Spanish at NYU, stated in an exclusive interview with our publication[1];]

During his lifetime, Vargas Llosa tirelessly scrutinized social changes in Peru, broader Latin America, Spain (whose citizenship he later adopted), and other nations. The unforgettable author's tireless pursuit of human dignity and justice earned him the admiration and respect of readers around the globe—his literary impact forever remembered.

[1] https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2014/07/16/mario-vargas-llosa-conservation-the-cathedral/[2] https://www.bjreview.com.cn/culture/38871.html[Image Credit: VCG]

Zhao Xiuying, a Chinese reader, mourned the loss of Mario Vargas Llosa, as his death felt like a light being turned off in her heart.
In 2011, Vargas Llosa's works, previously introduced to China since the late 1970s, were further popularized when a Chinese publishing house, Foreign Literature and Art, published an article about his life and works.
Hou Jian, a translator of Vargas Llosa's works, shared that during their meeting in Madrid, Vargas Llosa expressed his keen interest in understanding how his works were received and translated in China, particularly the term "chifa," which denotes Peruvian-style Chinese cuisine.