Marse and Restrepo Receive Prestigious Literary Prizes

Juan Marse of Spain and Laura Restrepo of Colombia are being given two of Latin America’s most prestigious literary prizes, to be awarded at the upcoming Guadalajara International Book Fair.

Marse, 64, the author of 10 novels and a collection of short stories, will receive the seventh annual Juan Rulfo International Latin American and Caribbean Prize for Literature in ceremonies Nov. 29. The honor includes a $100,000 prize.

Named for one of Mexico’s greatest writers, the prize is conferred by representatives of the Mexican government and educational and business communities to recognize lifetime achievement by a native of Latin America, Spain, Portugal or the Caribbean. Previous winners include Juan Jose Arreola of Mexico, Eliseo Diego of Cuba and Agusto Monterroso of Guatemala.

Little, Brown has published two of Marse’s works --”The Fallen” (1979) and “Golden Girl” (1981)--in English. Several of his works have been adapted by Spanish filmmakers.

Restrepo, 47, will be given the fifth Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz prize on Dec. 3 in a ceremony led by Chilean writer Isabel Allende. Restrepo’s most recent work, “Dulce Compania” (“Sweet Company”), was judged best of 49 entries. Crown will publish the book in English early next year under the title “If an Angel.”

The book is a parody of New Age philosophies and a critical attack on societal problems plaguing Colombia. The Sor Juana prize is named for a 17th century Mexican nun and poet considered by many to be the first great female writer in the Americas. Co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, the prize was created to increase the visibility of women writing in Spanish. It carries no cash prize, but the winning work is guaranteed publication in two languages. Past winners include Tatiana Lobo of Costa Rica and Elena Garro of Mexico.

Restrepo will be invited to participate in the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books April 25 to 26 at UCLA.