Fabiola Solís de King (Quito, Ecuador, October 8, 1936) is an Ecuadorian writer, clinical psychologist, and agronomist. Known for her penetrating exploration of human psychology, her work often delves into themes of mental health, gender, and the boundaries between reality and madness. She has published short story collections such as Al otro lado del muro (1978) and Mundo aparte y otros mundos (1983), as well as co-authored the pioneering research book La sexualidad femenina en el Ecuador (1987). Her work, characterized by experimental techniques, situates her among the leading Ecuadorian women writers of the 1970s. Her stories have been featured in several anthologies, both nationally and internationally, solidifying her as a significant voice in Ecuadorian literature.
Early Life and Education
Fabiola Solís de King was born in Quito in 1936. She pursued higher education in both agronomy and clinical psychology, earning degrees from the Universidad Central and Universidad Católica, respectively. Although trained as an agronomist, her professional focus shifted toward psychology, where she made significant contributions as a clinical psychologist and researcher.
Literary Career and Major Works
Solís de King began her literary career with short stories, making a powerful entry into the Ecuadorian literary scene with Al otro lado del muro (1978), which earned critical praise for its thematic depth and stylistic maturity. The collection won the National Short Story Prize from Diario El Tiempo, establishing her as a prominent voice in Ecuadorian literature. The stories in this collection, like much of her work, delve into the complexities of the human psyche, exploring themes such as mental health, dreams, and the boundaries between reality and fantasy.
Her second collection of short stories, Mundo aparte y otros mundos (1983), continued this exploration of psychological depth and existential themes. These collections positioned her as a significant figure in Ecuadorian literature, known for her ability to capture the fragility of human consciousness.
In addition to fiction, Solís de King co-authored the pioneering research book La sexualidad femenina en el Ecuador (1987) with journalist Gladys Moscoso. This work, based on extensive surveys and data analysis, aimed to challenge myths and taboos surrounding Ecuadorian women’s sexuality, becoming an important text in Ecuador’s feminist discourse.
Academic and Psychological Contributions
Aside from her literary achievements, Fabiola Solís de King made notable contributions in the field of psychology. She authored several academic works, including Variables psicológicas en la migración femenina rural urbana (1977), which examined psychological factors in the migration of rural women to urban areas, and Un enfoque de psicoterapias breves (1988), focused on brief psychotherapeutic approaches.
In 2004, she co-authored La violencia intrafamiliar: enfoques psicológico y jurídico with Bertha Moreira de Álava, addressing the psychological and legal aspects of domestic violence, furthering her involvement in social issues and mental health advocacy in Ecuador.
Recognitions and Legacy
Fabiola Solís de King’s work has been included in numerous anthologies, both in Ecuador and internationally, such as Diez escritoras ecuatorianas y sus cuentos (1982), Antología de narradoras ecuatorianas (1997), and Fire from the Andes (1998), which features English translations of short fiction by Ecuadorian women writers. Her contributions to Ecuadorian literature are widely recognized, with her works often cited as a profound exploration of the human condition.
Her fiction and essays continue to be regarded as important reflections on the intersection of mental health, society, and the individual experience, particularly in Ecuadorian and Latin American contexts.
Selected Works
- Al otro lado del muro (1978)
- Mundo aparte y otros mundos (1983)
- La sexualidad femenina en el Ecuador (1987, co-authored with Gladys Moscoso)
- Un enfoque de psicoterapias breves (1988)
- La violencia intrafamiliar: enfoques psicológico y jurídico (2004, co-authored with Bertha Moreira de Álava)
- Encuentros (2004)
Her stories have also been published in the following anthologies
- Diez escritoras ecuatorianas y sus cuentos (1982, edited by Michael H. Handelsman) – Features works by ten Ecuadorian women writers.
- Narradoras en espejo (1983, Mexico) – A collection of stories by Latin American women writers.
- Frauen in Lateinamerika 2 (1987, Munich) – A German anthology featuring stories by Latin American women writers.
- Cuento contigo (1993, Guayaquil) – An anthology of Ecuadorian short stories.
- Antología de narradoras ecuatorianas (1997, edited by Miguel Donoso Pareja, Quito) – Features works by Ecuadorian women writers.
- Antología básica del cuento ecuatoriano (1998, Quito) – A major collection of Ecuadorian short stories.
- Fire from the Andes: Short Fiction by Women from Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru (1998, edited and translated by Susan E. Benner and Kathy S. Leonard) – Features an English translation of one of Solís de King’s stories.
- Mujeres en espejo 2: Narradoras latinoamericanas del siglo XX (1985, edited by Sara Sefchovich, Mexico) – Includes works by notable Latin American women writers.
References
- Rodolfo Pérez Pimentel, “Solís de King, Fabiola.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Scribd, “Cuentos de Fabiola Solís de King.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Literatura Ecuatoriana, “Fabiola Solís de King.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Editorial El Conejo, “Gladys Moscoso y Fabiola Solís de King: La sexualidad femenina en el Ecuador.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Biblioteca Nacional de Ecuador, “Solís de King, Fabiola, 1936-.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Google Books, “Books by Fabiola Solís de King.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Goodreads, “Antología de narradoras ecuatorianas.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Bethel University Library, “Fire from the Andes: Short Fiction by Women from Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Ecuador Fiction, “History of Ecuadorian Literature: Part 2.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Enciclopedia de la Literatura en México (ELEM), “Mujeres en espejo 2: Narradoras latinoamericanas del siglo XX.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.
- Google Books, “Diez escritoras ecuatorianas y sus cuentos.” Retrieved on October 14, 2024. Click to view.