Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel Prize-winning author, dies at 89
CNNMAR 31
Nobel Literature Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa Dies at 89
Above: Mario Vargas Llosa at the Madrid Press Association headquarters on May 03, 2021, in Spain. Image copyright: Carlos Alvarez/Stringer/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
Vargas Llosa was a literary genius who, fortunately for those on the right wing of the political spectrum, also became a rare freedom-loving heavyweight in ideological debates. His legacy is one of opposing abuse of office, bullying, and tyranny, and promoting the dignity of the individual.
Left narrative
At the dusk of his life, Llosa endorsed the far-right in Latin America and Spain, making controversial statements that tainted his reputation. While that shift could be just a reflection of reactionary trends, his novels suggest otherwise, as his latter works showed signs of individualism, racism, and patriarchy. The decline into such ideologically opposing beliefs to those championed at the start of his life was a puzzling one, and a loss for literature.
Narrative C
Llosa was indeed a political animal, but as life isn't just about politics, we should avoid focusing too much on that singular aspect when it comes to remembering a genius like him. Literature was his true passion, and it's in literature that his legacy will continue to inspire mankind.