Talk with Pilar Quintana: Latin American Female Literary Scene

Pilar Quintana is a renowned Colombian novelist, widely considered one of the most original voices in the contemporary Latin American narrative. Her works have been translated into more than 20 languages. Her novel The Bitch, a profound and intense reflection on motherhood, unrealized desires, and oppression set in the landscapes of the Colombian Pacific Coast, won the PEN Translates Award in the UK and was a finalist for the National Book Award in the US. Her most recent novel, Abyss, a gripping story about childhood, resilience, and anguish in Cali, Colombia, during the 90s, was distinguished with the Premio Alfaguara de Novela, one of the most prestigious awards in the Hispanic world.

Chaired by Professor Claire Lindsay from the UCL School of European Languages and Society, this talk will dive into Quintana’s literary trajectory, from her early works to the most recent and prominent ones, explore the most recurrent themes in Quintana’s narrative, and reflect on the role of female writers in the current and past Latin American literary scene. This event is organized with the support of the UCL Colombian Society and the Embassy of Colombia in the UK. It aims to raise awareness of contemporary Colombian literature in a global scenario.