Fernando del Paso to Receive FIL Literature Prize

Fernando del Paso—author of several novels, including Palinuro of Mexico, Jose Trigo, and Noticias del Imperio—will receive this year’s FIL Literature Prize.

The $100,000 FIL Literature Prize is presented as recognition for lifetime achievement in any literary genre. Past winners include: Nicanor Parra (1991), Juan José Arreola (1992), Eliseo Diego (1993), Julio Ramón Ribeyro (1994), Nélida Piñón (1995), Augusto Monterroso (1996), Juan Marsé (1997), Olga Orozco (1998), Sergio Pitol (1999), Juan Gelman (2000), Juan García Ponce (2001), Cintio Vitier (2002), Rubem Fonseca (2003), Juan Goytisolo (2004), Tomás Segovia (2005) and Carlos Monsiváis (2006). Fernando del Paso has been selected for the 2007 Prize and will receive it during the inauguration ceremony of the 2007 Guadalajara International Book Fair on November 24th.

The Guadalajara Book Fair is one of the world’s most amazing fairs, and this event is overwhelming. As an American, it’s not often that I have a chance to attend events where authors are treated like rock stars . . .

In terms of del Paso, the only book of his in English is Palinuro of Mexico, a hilarious, Rabelaisian romp. Jose Trigo is often cited by the “Crack” writers as a major influence, and sounds quite fascinating and complex.

An interview between Ilan Stavans and Fernando del Paso can be found here.