Biography
José Donoso ranks among the most celebrated writers of prose fiction in Chile and stands out as a pivotal figure among his Latin American contemporaries. Born into a privileged family, his early life was marked by experiences that deeply influenced his literary work. Throughout his career, Donoso's stories have been woven with complex themes of identity, exile, and the surreal nature of human existence.
Early Life and Family Background
José Donoso Yañez entered the world on October 5, 1924, in the bustling city of Santiago, Chile. Of Spanish and Italian heritage, he was born into an upper-middle-class family. His father, after whom he was named, was a physician, while his mother, Alicia Yáñez, hailed from a notable Chilean lineage. Raised alongside two brothers, Donoso's upbringing took place under the care of his mother and a dedicated servant, Teresa Vergara. The sprawling family home, once vibrant, exuded a sense of decay and antiquity, elements that permeate his fictional landscapes.
Education and Early Influences
At the tender age of seven, Donoso's education began under the tutelage of an English governess, laying the groundwork for his mastery of the language. His academic journey continued at the Grange, an English school in Santiago, from 1932 to 1942. During these formative years, his maternal grandmother returned from Europe and took residence with the family, her declining health leaving a lasting impression on him. A rebellious teenager, Donoso resisted the school's rigid structure and his father's insistence on British sports, especially symbolized by a stern boxing instructor. His protests manifested in feigned illnesses, eventually leading to genuine health issues like an appendectomy and an ulcer.
Adventures and Academic Pursuits
Rejecting religious dogmas, Donoso labeled himself an atheist by twelve. His indifference to regimented education contrasted sharply with his voracious appetite for literature. Dropping out of school in 1943, he embarked on a two-year adventure, unable to maintain steady employment. His wanderlust led him to Magallanes, at Chile's southern tip, where he immersed himself in the rustic life of a sheepherder on the pampas. His journey continued with a hitchhike through Patagonia to Buenos Aires, where he briefly worked as a dockhand until illness forced his return to Santiago. By 1947, he resumed his studies, completing high school and enrolling at the University of Chile as an English major. His academic path culminated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton in 1951, where he studied under the influence of Allen Tate and discovered the literary prowess of Henry James, as well as the visual splendor of great artworks, all of which would shape his future writings.
Return to Chile and Early Literary Career
Back in Chile, Donoso navigated various roles as a teacher, journalist, and literary critic, yet found himself disenchanted with his homeland and professional life. Battling a recurring ulcer, he turned to psychoanalysis for solace. He aided in the creation of the newsmagazine Ercilla, serving as its editor. In 1954, his short story "China" was featured in a Chilean anthology, marking his first notable success in Spanish. The following year, his debut book, Veraneo, y otros cuentos, was published, garnering critical acclaim and winning the Santiago Municipal Short Story Prize. Despite these triumphs, he found Chile's societal constraints stifling and relocated to Buenos Aires, where he met his future wife. He returned to Santiago briefly, releasing his second short story collection, which solidified his status as a leading literary critic. This reputation paved his way to the University of Iowa's Writers’ Workshop, a position he abandoned to move to Spain and complete The Obscene Bird of Night.
Life in Spain and...
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Personal Challenges
In 1961, Donoso married María del Pilar Serrano, and the couple adopted a daughter in Madrid, eventually settling in Mallorca by 1967. Awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1966, he subsequently accepted a lectureship at Colorado State University in 1969. During his time there, a severe ulcer flare-up necessitated surgery; unable to endure pain relief medications, he endured hallucinations and paranoia, leading to suicide attempts. Seeking recovery, he returned to Mallorca, then relocated his family to Barcelona. There, he channeled his tumultuous experiences into rewriting his novel. Still in convalescence, he purchased and renovated a seventeenth-century home in Calaceite, moving there in 1971. His critical work, The Boom in Spanish American Literature, and novellas Sacred Families were published in Spain, marking a prolific period in his career.
Later Works and Critical Acclaim
A second Guggenheim Fellowship in 1973 enabled Donoso to work on A House in the Country. Political unrest in Chile, notably a military coup, thwarted his return visit, influencing the themes in A House in the Country and El jardín de al lado. In 1976, he moved to Sitges, a vibrant fishing and resort village that left its imprint on his novel El jardín de al lado. Like much of his work, it reflected his life experiences. Donoso eventually returned to Chile in 1980, where his contributions to literature were recognized with the prestigious Chilean Premio National de Literatura in 1990. He passed away in Santiago in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of rich, immersive fiction that continues to captivate readers.