Carolina Andrade (Guayaquil, 1963) is an Ecuadorian writer, university professor, and journalist known for her poignant short stories and novellas. She studied in Mexico at the literary workshops of the Sociedad General de Escritores Mexicanos (SOGEM) and later earned postgraduate degrees in Education, Humanistic Studies, and Communication. Her notable works include Detrás de sí (1994), De luto (1999), and the novel A orillas de un relato (2024), which explore themes of death, existential absurdity, and human fragility. Andrade’s works have been translated into multiple languages and featured in prestigious literary anthologies.
Early Life and Education
Carolina Andrade was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 1963. She pursued higher education in diverse fields, holding postgraduate degrees in Education, Humanistic Studies, and Image and Communication. Between 1986 and 1989, Andrade resided in Mexico, where she attended the writing workshops offered by the Sociedad General de Escritores Mexicanos (SOGEM), an experience that significantly influenced her literary career.
Literary Career
Carolina Andrade is a prominent Ecuadorian writer, specializing in short stories and novellas. She began publishing in the early 1990s, and her work has received recognition both within Ecuador and abroad. Andrade’s first collection of short stories, Detrás de sí (1994), was followed by De luto (1999), a book that explores themes of death, absence, and loss, as noted by critic Alicia Ortega. Andrade’s handling of these topics portrays a deep reflection on human mortality and solitude. The dedication of De luto, “To the survivors,” highlights her nuanced engagement with grief and survival.
Her short stories have been featured in several anthologies, such as El libro de los abuelos (1990), Antología de narradoras ecuatorianas (1997), and Cuento ecuatoriano contemporáneo (2001), cementing her reputation as a key figure in Ecuadorian literature. Her writing has been translated into multiple languages, including English, German, French, and Italian.
In 2009, Andrade published Frágiles, a novella that continued her exploration of human fragility, a theme central to much of her work. Her latest novel, A orillas de un relato (2024), represents a culmination of her literary mastery. The novel delves into existential themes, presenting the protagonist’s life as an absurd experiment akin to a reality show, where violence and the struggle to narrate one’s own existence dominate the storyline. As critic Raúl Vallejo Corral notes, A orillas de un relato becomes a meditation on the failure to find meaning in life and the inherent absurdity of the human condition.
Legacy and Style
Andrade’s work is marked by a distinct use of irony and a deep understanding of the human experience, especially in confronting mortality and absurdity. Critics have lauded her prose for its precision and fluidity, particularly in how she constructs allegories of contemporary life through the lens of existential questioning. Vallejo Corral emphasizes that her writing, particularly in A orillas de un relato, resonates with the discomfort and uncertainty that define human existence.
Recognitions and Accolades
Throughout her career, Andrade’s work has been included in numerous prestigious anthologies, and her stories continue to be studied and appreciated both in Ecuador and internationally. She has participated in literary events such as the Feria Internacional del Libro (FIL), where she has been celebrated as an important voice in Latin American literature.
Selected Works
- Detrás de sí (1994)
- De luto (1999)
- ReVista y Revuelta (2003)
- Frágiles (2009)
- A orillas de un relato (2024)
References
- Literatura Ecuatoriana, “Carolina Andrade” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.
- El Telégrafo, “Guayaquil poetas 2” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.
- Acoso Textual, “A orillas de un relato o la angustia por el absurdo de la vida” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.
- Libro Guayaquil, “Escritores 2024” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view.