Writer Ernesto Sabato dies, aged 99
Writer Ernesto Sabato around 1972.
Argentine writer Ernesto Sabato has died at the age of 99. He been suffering from bronchitis and died at his home this morning. Originally a physicist, he became famous because of his writing; however had not produced any works for quite some time. He is also well-known for his work at the front of CONADEP, the National Commission for Disappeared Persons after the Military Dicatorship.
Amongst the most influential writers in Argentine literature and author of the trilogy of novels, “The Tunnel” (1948), “Of Heroes and Graves'' (1961) and ''Abadon, the Exterminator'' (1974), could be said to be a controversial human being, tied up by his own contradictions which can be suggested to be present in characters he created in his stories.
British newspaper 'The Independent', recently re-reviewed his book, "The Tunnel", and said, "the book belongs among the existential landmarks of post-war fiction." It was also honoured by being placed in the Penguin Publishers Hall of Fame.
“I’ve never considered myself a professional writer, in the way that of those who publish one book per year. To the contrary actually, many times I’d go ahead and burn what I had written that very morning,” mentioned Sabato on more than one occasion.
His final pieces of writing include memories and things about old age, which constitute his last works and farewell to writing, aside from the vital spark of the moving confession of love he had for collaborator Elvira Fernández Fraga, who today fronts the foundation in his name.
Tomorrow homage was to be paid to him at the National Book Fair for his contribution to Argentine literature, and to celebrate his 100th birthday on June 24, where an exposition on his works and life were to be shown, with María Rosa Lojo hosting the event and members of his family present.
Amongst the most influential writers in Argentine literature and author of the trilogy of novels, “The Tunnel” (1948), “Of Heroes and Graves'' (1961) and ''Abadon, the Exterminator'' (1974), could be said to be a controversial human being, tied up by his own contradictions which can be suggested to be present in characters he created in his stories.
British newspaper 'The Independent', recently re-reviewed his book, "The Tunnel", and said, "the book belongs among the existential landmarks of post-war fiction." It was also honoured by being placed in the Penguin Publishers Hall of Fame.
“I’ve never considered myself a professional writer, in the way that of those who publish one book per year. To the contrary actually, many times I’d go ahead and burn what I had written that very morning,” mentioned Sabato on more than one occasion.
His final pieces of writing include memories and things about old age, which constitute his last works and farewell to writing, aside from the vital spark of the moving confession of love he had for collaborator Elvira Fernández Fraga, who today fronts the foundation in his name.
Tomorrow homage was to be paid to him at the National Book Fair for his contribution to Argentine literature, and to celebrate his 100th birthday on June 24, where an exposition on his works and life were to be shown, with María Rosa Lojo hosting the event and members of his family present.
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