Diego Maenza (Los Ríos, 1987) is an Ecuadorian writer. He is known for his works in poetry, fiction, and novels, which have been translated into several languages. In 2018, Maenza published “Caricreaturas,” a work that combines short stories and poetry. It was a finalist in the call for applications from the Ministry of Culture of Ecuador. The book was later translated into Italian by Alessandro Elias Ghetti and into English by Gastón Jofre Torres. Also in 2018, the National Headquarters of the House of Ecuadorian Culture published Maenza’s novel “Estructura de la plegaria” (Structure of Prayer). This work tackles sensitive topics such as pedophilia and abortion within the context of the intimate lives of Catholic clergy. The novel has been translated into Italian, English, French, Portuguese, German, and Russian. In 2019, Maenza released his poetry collection “Bestiario americano” (American Bestiary), which poetically condenses urban legends and myths from across the Americas. His second novel, “Todas las cartas de amor son ridículas” (All Love Letters Are Ridiculous), was published in 2020. It is a parody of romance novels written in an epistolary format and deals with themes of sexual violence.
Literary Career
Diego Maenza was born in 1987 in Babahoyo, located in the Los Ríos province of Ecuador. Growing up in this culturally rich region, Maenza developed a deep appreciation for storytelling and the arts. He has become a prominent Ecuadorian author, recognized for his contributions to poetry, short stories, and novels. His works often explore dark and challenging themes, blending genres to offer unique narrative experiences. In 2018, Maenza gained significant attention with the publication of Caricreaturas, a hybrid of short stories and poetry. The book was a finalist in Ecuador’s Ministry of Culture’s “Fondos Concursables” competition and was later translated into Italian and English. This collection marked Maenza as a distinct voice in contemporary Latin American literature.
His first novel, Estructura de la plegaria (2018), delves into sensitive issues such as pedophilia and abortion within the Catholic clergy. The novel, described as both grotesque and spiritual, has been translated into multiple languages, including Italian, French, and Russian. Critics like Fernando Endara praised the work for revealing “the darkest secrets” of Catholic followers, while others, like Alexis Cuzme, highlighted its raw and complex depiction of human fear and morality.
In 2019, Maenza published Bestiario americano, a poetry collection that reimagines urban legends and myths from across the Americas. This work further demonstrated his ability to draw on diverse cultural narratives and present them through poetic form. That same year, his short story collection Identidades was released by the Spanish publisher Alféizar, and in 2020, he followed it with Engendros, which won the third annual publication contest held by Ecuador’s Ministry of Culture.
Maenza continued his prolific output in 2020 with Todas las cartas de amor son ridículas, a novel that parodies romance novels and tackles the issue of sexual violence through an epistolary format. In 2021, he consolidated his short story collections in ENtidades, which brought together the best stories from Identidades and Engendros.
Themes and Style
Maenza’s work is often noted for its exploration of taboo subjects and its philosophical depth. His narratives frequently engage with metaphysical ideas, as seen in his short stories, which critics like Iván Rodrigo Mendizábal describe as playing with time, space, and existential themes. His writing style merges the grotesque with the spiritual, prompting visceral reactions from readers while also inviting them to contemplate deeper moral and ethical questions.
Personal Life
Diego Maenza identifies as an atheist, a worldview that perhaps influences his critical treatment of religion in works like Estructura de la plegaria. Although specific details of his personal life remain private, his writings suggest a deep engagement with social and philosophical issues.
Legacy and Recognition
Diego Maenza has established himself as a leading figure in Ecuadorian literature, with his works being translated into several languages and gaining international recognition. His novel Estructura de la plegaria has been lauded for its daring approach to controversial topics, and his short stories and poetry collections continue to resonate with readers across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Maenza’s stories have been included in anthologies, such as Anábasis, antología de narrativa fantástica y ficción histórica, further cementing his place in the broader Latin American literary tradition.
Works
Novels
- Estructura de la plegaria (2018)
- Todas las cartas de amor son ridículas (2020)
Poetry
- Caricreaturas (2018)
- Bestiario americano (2019)
Short stories
- Identidades (2019)
- Engendros (2020)
- ENtidades (2021)
References
- Wikipedia, “Diego Maenza.” Retrieved on October 2, 2024. Click to view.
- Letralia, “Diego Maenza, un escritor empeñado en fusionar los géneros para producir una obra perdurable.” Retrieved on October 2, 2024. Click to view.
- Libros Duendes, “Diego Maenza – Author.” Retrieved on October 2, 2024. Click to view.
- Bookmate, “Diego Maenza.” Retrieved on October 2, 2024. Click to view.
This article was updated on October 2, 2024.