In the Northeastern edge of the Caribbean Sea, lays the unincorporated U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. More than 3.7 million inhabitants make this island their home. Although the island itself is quite a distance from the United States’ mainland and is not officially a state, the territory of Puerto Rico operates a democratic government and utilizes all of the benefits of being within the U.S. This includes the postal service.
Throughout history, this tiny Caribbean island has produced many wonderful authors, including a Nobel Prize nominee. The Spanish culture of Puerto Rico has yielded literary works in several categories and this is apparent in the many works that have been produced. There are many outstanding new writers from Puerto Rico, and many have yet to come forward to make their literary mark on the masses.
A few of the more well known authors are José María Lima, Enrique Arturo Laguerre Vélez, and Alejandro Tapia y Rivera.
First we start with José María Lima: He was a true renaissance man and was considered a scholar and one of the most provocative voices in Puerto Rican poetry. Although he only wrote three books, he worked as a journalist and eventually retired in Puerto Rico after serving as a professor at the University of Puerto Rico.
Then there is Enrique Arturo Laguerre Vélez. Although he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, Enrique Arturo Laguerre Vélez did not receive the award. However, he did have a very full life and career as a writer and teacher. He taught classes ranging from elementary grade levels through to higher education.
In addition, we also have Alejandro Tapia y Rivera. He was considered the “Father of Puerto Rican Literature.” This great author completed his works in the 1800s. He had contributed the most to the development of the Puerto Rican thought process, and had been a woman’s rights activist. From 1848 until his death in 1882, Tapia produced nearly 20 works of literature. This was a great accomplishment in itself.
These and many other authors have made great contributions to the culture of Puerto Rico, some from the past and some current. Whether they were teachers, activists for human rights, or even Marxist, they helped in the shaping of this beautiful Caribbean island. Their writing sometimes is influenced by their Spanish conquerors and can often times be seen. These men and women have helped to carve and shape the very literary essence of Puerto Rico, which has laid the ground work for upcoming writers and authors from this region.
The accomplishments of all the previous literary talents that have come through Puerto Rico is a testament to the will and determination of this small island and its people. Many of these writers were met with skepticism and arose against diversity in the earlier years.
As public opinions are changing, writers from all walks of life are given the opportunities they surely wouldn’t have had 70 years ago. Publishing houses are continuously looking for new talent coming from this region. Due to existing technologies, the work of these many talented individuals are currently touching markets that wouldn’t have been thought possible 50 decades ago. Many authors are now making their way into the Americana mainstream and will continue to do so as time goes on.
