Selected Writings

by Leopoldo Lugones, Gwen Kirkpatrick (Editor)

Argentina's best-known writer during his lifetime, Leopoldo Lugones's work spans many literary styles and ideological positions. He was influential as a modernist poet, as a precursor of the avant-garde, and also as the poet of Argentine nature. His short stories (Las Fuerzas Extranas: 1906) were early examples of the fantastic in Latin American fiction and influenced Borges, Quiroga, and others They reflect an interest in the uncanny and inspired contemporary interest in animism and occultism because the protagonists of many the stories were scientists and doctors experimenting in the transmutation of thought. His prose works include La Guerra Gaucha (1905) and the essay El Payador (1916) in which he idealized the gaucho as a heroic figure, popular poet, and a symbol of Argentine identity. Lugones altered his political views many times, adopting radical anarchism, and later in life, fascism. He was therefore a controversial figure, both accalimed and scorned by his contemporaries. His adherence to the importance of literary form drew criticism from the new generation of writers, such as Borges, but Borges later stated in 1955 that "Lugones was and continues to be the greatest Argentine writer."

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

152 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2008

About the author

Leopoldo Lugones Argüello (13 June 1874 - 18 February 1938) was an Argentine writer and journalist.

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the introduction of this book Leopold Lugones is said to be "the initiator of the fantastic short story in Latin America, a forerunner to the masters of the form, Horacio Quiroga, Julio Cortázar, and Jorge Luis Borges." This is an odd collection of writings, from a man who turned from a socialist into a fascist in later life and committed suicide in 1938, something which has befallen several of his descendants numerous times since.

A big theme in these stories is science gone awry, not mad scientists exactly, but obsessive amateur scientists engaging in strange pseudo-science. Another theme is weird apocalypses. Most of these stories have great moments, but this is most interesting to read as a "curiosity" -- you're probably better off just reading Quiroga, Cortázar and Borges. The story "Viola Acherontia" seemed to me an excellent weird tale, rising far above the others. Unfortunately the last third of this book is taken up by non-fiction political essays by Lugones and it felt like I had my appetite whetted by the six stories included, but not quite fulfilled.


The Rain of Fire - This is a grim, apocalyptic tale, with a bit of a decadent flavor as a wealthy man who has retreated from society to become a glutton watches as a rain of fire slowly destroys the city around him.

Yzur - This is a very odd story about a man who believes primates once spoke, but decided to give up that evolutionary advancement -- so he attempts to train a monkey to speak. It seems to be reflecting on the themes of unhealthy obsession and barren scientism.

Viola Acherontia - Wow, this is an excellent story, very much in the weird fiction vein. This story is similar in theme to the previous one, here another amateur scientist is manipulating nature by attempting (through a weird osmosis) to breed a species of flower that will emit a deadly toxin. It is full of insane logic and beautiful prose.

The Pillar of Salt - This one wasn't among my favorites, but still contains some very evocative language and also an apocalyptic theme similar to "Rain of Fire." After many years of a quiet, ascetic life a monk is tempted into releasing Lot's wife.

The Escuerzo - This is a brief but quite decent little horror tale about a mythical creature out for revenge.

The Horses of Abdera - This is an absurdist story, with another apocalyptic theme, and also the same sort of "fooling with nature" theme seen elsewhere. Probably my least favorite story here. A city that treats its horses well, finds the animals growing increasingly intelligent, until one day they rebel.

As for the essays, I read through a few of them but I didn't find them especially interesting. They're fiery political writings of a man who seems to have made a sharp right turn politically. This book would have been better-served by including more fiction instead.

[Illiterate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uncanny fiction (sci-fi, crazy scientists, magic) and revolutionary politics (anarchism, militarism, fascism).

[Parker Trager · Rating 2 out of 5]

I disagree with him ☝️

[Omar Abu Samra · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The man who is truly free must be violently free”

[Jacob Bornheimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really excellent short stories, but some are unfortunately marred by prejudice.

[Dylan Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine selection both fiction and non-fiction by the extremely influential but little known in the English speaking world Leopoldo Lugones, is a proponent of fantastic and strange fiction in Argentina and South America as whole. An influence on Borges,Quiroga, and many others.