Carlos Hugo Aulestia Páez (Quito, 1973) is an Ecuadorian writer, literary critic, and professor. He holds a Ph.D. in Latin American Literature from the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar and is currently the dean of the Faculty of Communication, Linguistics, and Literature at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Aulestia has authored works spanning fiction, poetry, and essays, including the novel La obscuridad (2016) and the short story collection Flaquita my love (1995). His research focuses on Ibero-American literature, with a notable contribution through his doctoral thesis on Ecuadorian poets Medardo Ángel Silva, César Dávila Andrade, and David Ledesma Vásquez.
Early Life and Education
Carlos Hugo Aulestia Páez was born in Quito, Ecuador, in 1973. He pursued his higher education at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), where he studied Literature and Communication, earning a degree in Letras y Castellano. He later specialized in Hispanic Philology at the Instituto de la Lengua Española in Madrid, Spain, before obtaining a Master’s degree in Literature from PUCE. His academic journey culminated with a Ph.D. in Latin American Literature from the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, also in Quito, with a thesis exploring the lives and works of three Ecuadorian poets who died by suicide: Medardo Ángel Silva, César Dávila Andrade, and David Ledesma Vásquez.
Literary Career
Carlos Aulestia is a prolific writer and literary critic, whose works span various genres including fiction, essays, poetry, and literary criticism. His notable publications include:
- “Flaquita my love” (1995) – A collection of short stories published by Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana “Benjamín Carrión.”
- “Las huellas perversas” (2002) – A critical essay published by Ediciones Abya-Yala.
- “Glóbulos” (2010) – A volume of poetry.
- “Inmersiones y sobrevuelos” (2013) – An essay co-authored with Juan Carlos Arteaga Fernández.
- “La obscuridad” (2016) – A novel published by the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.
His novel La obscuridad follows the journey of Marcos Luna, a man who returns to his hometown after many years, grappling with the mysterious suicide of his childhood friend, Ernesto Leiva. Blending elements of horror and psychological depth, the novel navigates themes of death, despair, and the darkness within the human soul.
In addition to his creative works, Aulestia’s doctoral thesis, Tres poetas suicidas del Ecuador: Medardo Ángel Silva, César Dávila Andrade y David Ledesma. La muerte como transgresión y como poética (2018), delves into the relationship between death and poetry in the works of three renowned Ecuadorian poets.
Academic Contributions
Aulestia is also a well-respected academic. He has held various teaching roles in the Faculty of Communication, Linguistics, and Literature at PUCE, where he currently serves as the dean. His research focuses on Ibero-American literature, literary theory, and cultural studies, with a particular interest in themes of death and existentialism in Latin American literature.
Legacy and Recognition
Carlos Aulestia’s contributions to Ecuadorian literature, both as a writer and scholar, are widely recognized. His unique blend of creative and critical writing, alongside his exploration of darker human emotions, positions him as a significant contemporary voice in Latin American literature. Through his novels, essays, and poetry, Aulestia continues to influence both readers and students alike, making lasting contributions to the literary landscape of Ecuador and beyond.
Selected Works
- Flaquita my love (1995) – Short stories
- Las huellas perversas (2002) – Essay
- Glóbulos (2010) – Poetry
- Inmersiones y sobrevuelos (2013) – Essay (co-authored with Juan Carlos Arteaga Fernández)
- La obscuridad (2016) – Novel
- La vida inhabitable (2022) – Essay on Medardo Ángel Silva, César Dávila Andrade, and David Ledesma
- Tres poetas suicidas del Ecuador: Medardo Ángel Silva, César Dávila Andrade y David Ledesma (2018) – Doctoral thesis
References
- Libre Libro Blog, “La obscuridad – Carlos Aulestia.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.
- uLibros, “La Obscuridad – Carlos Aulestia Páez.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.
- Biblioteca Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua, “La obscuridad / Carlos Aulestia Páez.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.
- PUCE Catalog, “Las huellas perversas – Carlos Aulestia Páez.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.
- PUCE Investiga, “Carlos Hugo Aulestia Páez – Faculty of Communication, Linguistics, and Literature.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.
- ISBN.cloud, “Carlos Hugo Aulestia Páez – Published Books.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.
- Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, “Tres poetas suicidas del Ecuador: Medardo Ángel Silva, César Dávila Andrade y David Ledesma.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.
- Hispanismo – Instituto Cervantes, “Tres poetas suicidas del Ecuador: Medardo Ángel Silva, César Dávila Andrade y David Ledesma.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.
- Google Books, “Flaquita my love – Carlos Aulestia.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.
- Google Books, “La vida inhabitable – Carlos Aulestia.” Retrieved on October 17, 2024. Click to view.