Adolfo Bioy Casares Argentine science fiction writer Date of Birth: 15.09.1914 Country: Argentina

Adolfo Bioy Casares: Biography of an Argentine Science Fiction Writer

Adolfo Bioy Casares was born in 1914 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Coming from a wealthy and aristocratic family, his parents encouraged his early literary endeavors. At the age of 11, he wrote his first stories, dedicating them to his cousin, whom the young writer was infatuated with. At 14, Adolfo began writing in a different genre, exploring the realm of fantastic detective stories.

In 1929, at the age of 15, Adolfo Bioy Casares published his first book, 'Prólogo'. However, it was in 1932 that his life took a significant turn. He met Jorge Luis Borges, a renowned Argentine writer, and their encounter would profoundly influence Casares's literary career. Abandoning his studies, Adolfo dedicated himself entirely to writing. The friendship between Casares and Borges blossomed, intertwining their literary destinies. In 1936, they started publishing a literary magazine together, but it had a short lifespan.

Casares's most famous work, the novel 'The Invention of Morel', was published in 1940. Regarded as a classic of contemporary literature, this novel introduced a type of 'holographic cinema' invented by an engineer named Morel. It is considered the first Latin American science fiction novel. In the preface written by his friend Borges, it was stated, "To call it perfect would not be an exaggeration or inaccuracy."

His next novel, 'Plan for Escape', was published in 1945. Casares continued to release several more novels, but some of his later works have not been translated into Russian. 'The Dream of Heroes' (1954) is often considered his best work, presenting a myth about Buenos Aires. After a considerable hiatus, Casares published 'Diary of the War of the Pig' in 1969, a philosophical fable that depicts the atmosphere of terror in a city under the control of organized criminal groups. In 1973, 'Asleep in the Sun' was released, a novel about a psychiatrist who transfers human souls into dog bodies. 'An Adventure of a Photographer in La Plata' was published in 1985. His last novels were 'An Unequal Champion' and 'From One World to Another'. Casares also gained recognition for his short stories, publishing approximately 15 collections during his creative life.

Together with Borges, Casares compiled several anthologies, such as 'Short and Extraordinary Stories' and 'The Book of Heaven and Hell', which included philosophical fables, short stories, and aphorisms about paradise and hell. They also collaborated on a library of detective novels, a collection of gaucho poetry, and even created a literary myth - an imaginary author under whose name they published several books, including a collection of detective stories. Casares's wife, the writer Silvina Ocampo, occasionally contributed to these publications. The couple married in 1940.

In interviews, Casares was reluctant to discuss his books and characters, preferring to talk about the writing process itself or reflect on the challenges of being a writer. He claimed to have never struggled with a blank page as he always had an abundance of ideas, many of which never materialized into stories.

Adolfo Bioy Casares was awarded the Order of the Legion of Honor (French Légion d'honneur) and the Grand Prize of Honor of the Argentine Society of Writers (Gran Premio de Honor of SADE). In 1990, he received the Miguel de Cervantes Prize, the most prestigious literary award in the Spanish-speaking world. He was also granted the title of Illustrious Citizen of Buenos Aires.