Solange Rodríguez Pappe (Guayaquil, Ecuador, 1976) is an Ecuadorian writer and professor known for her short fiction in the genres of fantasy, horror, and the strange. She has published several acclaimed collections, including Balas perdidas (2010), which won the Joaquín Gallegos Lara Award for Best Storybook of the Year. A longtime educator, Rodríguez has also been honored with the Matilde Hidalgo Prize for her academic career. Her works often explore themes of the fantastic and macabre, and have been translated into multiple languages, gaining international recognition.
Early Life and Education
Solange Rodríguez Pappe was born in 1976 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She pursued higher education at the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, where she earned a degree in Literature. During her studies, she shared classes with notable writers such as María Fernanda Ampuero and Luis Carlos Mussó. Rodríguez later completed a master’s degree in Hispanic American Literature at Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, focusing on themes of apocalypse and urban destruction in Latin American culture.
Literary Career
Solange Rodríguez is best known for her work in short fiction, particularly in the genres of horror, fantasy, and the strange. She published her first short-story collection, Tinta Sangre, in 2000 when she was only 23 years old. This debut was followed by Dracofilia (2005), El lugar de las apariciones (2007), and Balas perdidas (2010), which won the prestigious Joaquín Gallegos Lara Award for Best Storybook of the Year. Her works explore themes of the fantastic, often rewriting traditional male-dominated narratives from a feminine perspective. Rodríguez’s writing frequently delves into topics such as ghosts, escapism, and the monstrous, infused with elements of nostalgia and despair.
Her collection La primera vez que vi un fantasma (2018) garnered significant critical attention, earning an honorable mention at both the 2018 National Literature Competition by the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana and the 2019 Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize. The book, published by Spanish press Candaya, consists of 15 short stories that intertwine the macabre and the everyday, offering readers a blend of magical realism and horror.
In addition to her early works, Rodríguez’s short stories have been included in international anthologies such as The Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories and American Monsters: Part 1. Her works have been translated into multiple languages, including English, French, Italian, and Mandarin, expanding her reach to a global audience.
Academic and Teaching Career
Alongside her writing, Rodríguez has had a prolific academic career, teaching literature at various universities across Ecuador. Her contributions to education were recognized in February 2017 when she was awarded the Matilde Hidalgo Prize for her 20 years of service in the field of Literary Arts. She is also involved in coordinating creative writing workshops and has conducted research on the representation of the end of the world in Latin American literature.
Personal Life
Solange Rodríguez Pappe continues to reside in Ecuador, where she remains active in both her literary and academic pursuits. Her works often reflect a deep connection to her homeland, particularly the urban landscapes of Ecuador, and the ways in which these settings intersect with the fantastical.
Legacy and Influence
Rodríguez’s unique voice in Ecuadorian literature, particularly her focus on the intersection of fantasy, horror, and the feminine experience, has earned her a place among the most notable contemporary Latin American authors. Her ability to merge the strange and fantastical with deeply human emotions has influenced both readers and aspiring writers, solidifying her position as a leading figure in speculative fiction in the region.
Recognitions and Accolades
- Joaquín Gallegos Lara Award (2010) for Balas perdidas
- Honorable Mention (2018) at the National Literature Competition for La primera vez que vi un fantasma
- Honorable Mention (2019) Joaquín Gallegos Lara Award for La primera vez que vi un fantasma
- Matilde Hidalgo Prize (2017) for her 20-year academic career in Literary Arts
Videos
Solange Rodriguez interview on Cafés con letras (Coffee & Letters)
Palabra Suelta (Loose Word): Interview of Solange Rodríguez by Andrés Fiallos
Solange Rodriguez interview
Works
Short story books
- Tinta sangre (2000)
- Dracofilia (2005)
- El lugar de las apariciones (2007)
- Balas perdidas (2010)
- La bondad de los extraños (2014)
- Levitaciones (2017)
- La primera vez que vi un fantasma (2018)
- De un mundo raro (2021)
Digital publications
- Caja de magia (2013)
- Episodio aberrante (2014)
Anthologies that contain her stories
- The Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories, Volume 1 (2020)
- American Monsters: Part 1 (2018)
- La rivolta degli oggetti: Futurismo andino (2023)
- El día de ayer (2012)
- Los que vendrán: Antología de nuevos cuentistas ecuatorianos (2004)
- Antología del cuento ecuatoriano contemporáneo (2011)
References
- Wikipedia, “Solange Rodríguez” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view
- Hablemos Escritoras, “Solange Rodríguez Pappe” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view
- Goodreads, “Solange Rodríguez Pappe” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view
- Goodreads, “The Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories, Volume 1” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view
- Goodreads, “American Monsters: Part 1” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view
- Busca Biografías, “Solange Rodríguez” Retrieved on October 15, 2024. Click to view
This post was updated on October 15, 2024.