The literary world is in mourning following the passing of acclaimed author Mario Vargas Llosa, who died on Sunday at the age of 89 at his residence in Lima, where he had been living since 2022. Quetzal Editores, part of the Bertrand Group, expressed their condolences and shared photos from the writer’s last visit to Portugal in October 2016.
“It is with deep sorrow that we receive the news of the death of Mario Vargas Llosa (1936-2025), one of the essential figures in modern fiction and intellectual life. As an author of seminal and influential works spanning novels, essays, reportage, and short stories, Mario Vargas Llosa has become an indispensable figure for today’s readers—as well as for the authors who followed him. His contributions extend beyond novels to important essays such as ‘La Civilización del Espectáculo’ and ‘El Llamado de la Tribu,’ books that reflect his engagement with contemporary issues and the battles for the ideas he cherished,” the publisher stated in a release.
Quetzal further highlighted that Mario Vargas Llosa “was a writer committed to the values of freedom, beauty, and the ceaseless pursuit of love, compassion, and truth,” which are central themes that run throughout his work.
“In this sad moment, Quetzal can only share the sense of loss with the readers of ‘Dedico-lhe o Meu Silêncio,’ his final novel—an ultimate testament poignantly dedicated to music and the quest for beauty. His legacy will endure beyond life and death,” the statement read.
The publisher also announced the forthcoming release of ‘O Olhar Imóvel,’ a literary essay from 2022, later this year.
Photos from the Nobel Prize winner’s last visit to Portugal were also shared, marking his presence at the Centro Cultural de Belém in Lisbon on October 8, 2016, for the presentation of his novel ‘Cinco Esquinas.’
Browse the gallery.
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