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Horacio QuirogaUruguayan writer.
Date of Birth: 31.12.1878
Country:  Uruguay |
Content:
- Childhood and Early Life
- Bohemian Life in Paris and Return to Uruguay
- Literary Debut and Modernism
- Immersion in the Argentinian Chaco and Personal Loss
- Writing, Film, and Second Marriage
- Dark Fantasies and Nature Writing
- Influence and Legacy
Childhood and Early Life
Horacio Quiroga was born in Salto, Uruguay, to a diplomat father who was accidentally shot and killed shortly after his birth. He demonstrated an early interest in literature and experimental sciences, studying in Montevideo.
Bohemian Life in Paris and Return to Uruguay
In 1899, Quiroga traveled to Paris, but its bohemian lifestyle held little appeal for him. Upon returning to Uruguay, he pursued teaching, journalism, and photography.
Literary Debut and Modernism
Quiroga published his first collection of poems and poetic prose in 1901, heavily influenced by Hispanic Modernism, notably Rubén Darío.
Immersion in the Argentinian Chaco and Personal Loss
From 1902, Quiroga primarily resided in Argentina. He participated in an expedition to the Chacho province, which ignited his fascination with the wilderness. He lived there with his family for several years before the tragic suicide of his wife in 1915.
Writing, Film, and Second Marriage
In the 1920s, Quiroga worked as a screenwriter and film critic, contributing to newspapers and magazines. His second marriage also ended in dissolution.
Dark Fantasies and Nature Writing
Quiroga became renowned for his short stories and novels that explored the dark and fatalistic forces of nature and the human psyche, with elements of Edgar Allan Poe's gothic style. He also wrote popular tales about the flora and fauna of the jungle, reminiscent of Kipling's "The Jungle Book."
Influence and Legacy
Quiroga's storytelling influenced the Argentine writer Julio Cortázar. His prose has been adapted into films by directors such as Mario Soffici and Pablo Trapero. Enrique Amorim penned a memoir about Quiroga, published in 1983.
