Huilo Ruales Hualca (Ibarra, Ecuador, March 25, 1947) is a prominent Ecuadorian writer whose work spans multiple genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, theater, and chronicles. Known for his exploration of marginalized characters and social outcasts, Ruales’ gritty and poetic prose has garnered significant recognition, including the Premio Joaquín Gallegos Lara (1989) and the Premio Aurelio Espinosa Pólit (1994). His writing has been translated into several languages, and he currently resides in Paris, France.
Early Life and Education
Huilo Ruales Hualca was born Wilson Ruales Hualca on March 25, 1947, in Ibarra, Ecuador. He spent his early years in his hometown, experiencing a significant loss at the age of thirteen when his father passed away in a car accident. This tragic event shaped much of his early outlook on life and contributed to his eventual departure from Ibarra to Quito, where he completed his education at Colegio San Gabriel.
Paris and Early Literary Career
In the late 1970s, Ruales moved to Paris, France, where he struggled to make a living by taking on jobs such as cleaning. His time in Paris also allowed him to explore other artistic avenues, including music, which helped support him financially. Despite the hardships, his literary career began to take shape in the 1980s, when he returned to Ecuador and became involved in the Literary Workshop of the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana under the direction of Miguel Donoso Pareja. His literary style and voice emerged during this time, and he co-founded the literary groups Eskeletra and La pequeña lulupa, further solidifying his place in Ecuador’s literary scene.
Notable Literary Works and Recognition
Ruales’ writing often explores the margins of society, using characters that reflect the underbelly of urban life. His works blend gritty realism with expressive, poetic language, leading critics to compare him to other notable Ecuadorian writers such as Pablo Palacio.
In 1983, Ruales won the Premio Hispanoamericano de Narrativa “Rodolfo Walsh” for his work in Paris, marking a major milestone in his career. He further gained national recognition when he received the Premio Joaquín Gallegos Lara in 1989 for Loca para loca la loca and the Premio Aurelio Espinosa Pólit in 1994 for Fetiche fantoche. His stories have been translated into French and German, expanding his influence beyond Ecuador.
Personal Life and Loss
Ruales has lived in Paris for much of his adult life, a city that has greatly influenced his writing and worldview. However, a personal and professional setback occurred on December 6, 2014, when he lost a disk drive containing ten years’ worth of writing while traveling on a bus in Quito. Despite widespread efforts on social media to recover the lost work, the drive was never found. This loss included two novels, which Ruales has since been working to rewrite from memory.
Literary Style and Themes
Ruales is known for his deep exploration of marginalization, often using characters from society’s periphery to reflect broader social and existential issues. His writing, described as “violently poetic,” frequently intertwines fictional elements with personal and societal commentary. His novel Maldeojo (1998) is a striking example, focusing on two marginalized figures, Fetiche and Fantoche, living in isolation. Critics have praised Ruales for his ability to depict the “lumpenesco”—the world of the downtrodden—with both empathy and biting irony.
Lost Works and Recovery Efforts
In December 2014, Huilo Ruales experienced a major setback when he lost a disk drive containing ten years’ worth of writing on a bus in Quito. Despite a public plea on social media for assistance in locating the drive, it was never recovered. Among the lost works were two nearly completed novels, which Ruales has since been working to rewrite from memory. This incident not only highlighted the vulnerability of his creative process but also demonstrated his resilience as he continued to rebuild and reimagine the lost stories.
Legacy and Influence
Huilo Ruales Hualca is considered one of the most important contemporary Ecuadorian writers, contributing significantly to the nation’s literary heritage. His work, which spans novels, short stories, poetry, theater, and chronicles, is marked by its focus on social marginality and innovative use of language. His influence extends beyond Ecuador, with translations of his work reaching audiences in Europe.
Though he has suffered setbacks, including the loss of years of his writing, Ruales continues to produce new works and maintain his relevance in the literary world. Today, he resides in Paris, where he continues to write and reflect on his life and experiences.
Videos
Huilo Ruales on La Caja de La Pandora, a program that is part interview, part documentary
Interview with Huilo Ruales about his writing
Tens years worth of writing lost on a bus in Quito
On December 6, 2014 Huilo Ruales lost a disk drive with 10 years worth of writing on a bus in Quito. Despite a social media plea for help in finding the hard drive, it was lost forever. Ruales has since been working on rewriting two of his lost novels.
List of works
Novels
- Maldeojo (Madrid, 1998)
- Qué risa, todos lloraban (2009)
- Edén y Eva (2012)
Short stories
- Y todo este rollo también a mí me jode (Quito, 1985)
- Nuaycielo comuel dekito (Quito, 1985)
- Loca para loca la loca -Premio Nacional “Joaquín Gallegos Lara” (Quito, 1989)
- Fetiche fantoche -Premio Nacional “Aurelio Espinosa Pólit (Quito, 1994)
- Historias de la ciudad perdida -antología- (Quito, 1997)
Poetry
- El ángel de la gasolina (Quito, 1999)
- Pabellón B (2006)
- Grupa de cebra sin rayas (2012)
- Ay que Viuda tan triste (2018)
Plays
- Añicos (Quito, 1991)
His works have been published in the following collections
- Quito: del arrabal a la paradoja (Quito, 1985);
- Así en la tierra como en los sueños (Quito, 1991)
- Cuento contigo (Guayaquil, 1993)
- En busca del cuento perdido (Quito, 1996); Veintiún cuentistas ecuatorianos (Quito, 1996)
- Antología básica del cuento ecuatoriano (Quito, 1998)
- Cuento ecuatoriano de finales del siglo XX (Quito, 1999)
- Cuento ecuatoriano contemporáneo (México, 2001)
Other
- El alero de las palomas sucias: crónicas de mi guerra crónica (crónica), 2 tomos (2013)
References
- Wikipedia, “Huilo Ruales.” Retrieved on October 1, 2024. Click to view.
- Goodreads, “Huilo Ruales Hualca.” Retrieved on October 1, 2024. Click to view.
- Literatura Ecuatoriana, “Huilo Ruales Hualca.” Retrieved on October 1, 2024. Click to view.
- El Comercio, “Las crónicas de Huilo Ruales, en dos libros.” Retrieved on October 1, 2024. Click to view.
- FLACSO Radio, “Huilo Ruales Hualca. Los Kitos Infiernos.” Retrieved on October 1, 2024. Click to view.
- Vida del Ahorcado, “Huilo Ruales Hualca. Historias de la Ciudad Prohibida.” Retrieved on October 1, 2024. Click to view.
- Abeloski, “Huilo Ruales Hualca.” Retrieved on October 1, 2024. Click to view.