I am a huge fan of Nobel Prizes. Each year, in October, I follow and read each winner trying to understand what they did to improve our lives; even, the prizes I never understand, such as medicine, physics, chemical, and economy, I love to read about them.
Of course, my favorite one is Literature. Indeed, many excellent writers never won this prize, but the Nobel Prize in Literature gives us an idea of which authors we should read at least once in our lives. This year, we had two winners because last year, they skipped the prize because of some sexual harassment allegations against one of the directors. Yes, sadly, this kind of behavior is everywhere.
In any case, I want to share with you the Nobel Prize in Literature Winners. I think you should read at least one book of each in your life.
1. Svetlana Alexievich (2015).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ5bOFwpz1s
Louisiana Channel
If you have watched HBO's TV Show "Chernobyl," you must read Svetlana Alexievich. She wrote "Voices from Chernobyl," where she worked for a decade getting information from the survivors before this catastrophe was a trending topic. Even though she is not on the credits, HBO based its TV show on her novel.
2. Mario Vargas Llosa (2010).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai6NlNs7kHk
Nobel Prize
He is one of my favorite authors. I have read many of his novels: "The Green House," "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter" (about his first marriage with a woman who was fourteen years older), or "The Bad Girl." However, if you only want to read one of his novels, you can choose between "Captain Pantoja and the Special Service" and "The Feast of the Goat." Both are masterpieces.
3. José Saramago (1998).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxy_Ax7lJUI
Carlos Simoes
I discovered José Saramago because he won the Nobel Prize, and he is an excellent example of you won't regret to read a Nobel Prize winner. Two of my favorite Saramago's novels are two against of Catholic church (don't get me wrong, I'm Catholic, but I can read critics): "Cain" and "The Gospel According to Jesus Christ" (this novel is more polemic than "The Davinci Code"). The other must-read is "Blindness."
4. Gabriel García Márquez (1982).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYBgT8xrJZI
CNN
Gabriel García Márquez is one of the most influential authors of my life. He was one of the most brilliant writers of the XX Century. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is one of the best novels of all time, and a must in your life. I have read almost all his texts, and I hardly recommend: "Chronicle of a Death Foretold," "Strange Pilgrims" (Actually, I recommend reading all his short stories), "The General in His Labyrinth" and "News of a Kidnapping."
5. Pablo Neruda (1971).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1520QZIclmI
teleSUR tv
Pablo Neruda is one of the most famous poets in the world. "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair" and "100 Love Sonnets" are classics for lovers. My favorites are his odes (tomatoes and onions are my favorites).
6. John Steinbeck (1962).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3irviknt-fg
Biography
"East of Eden" by John Steinbeck is an important book in my life. I started reading it because it was in my family's library, and suddenly it changed my point of view of many things. What I can say is: read it. "East of Eden" is the story of Adam and, at the same time, Steinbeck's family. You won't regret to read it. Steinbeck has more amazing novels; I am sharing what I like the most.
7. Ernest Hemingway (1954).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JQDe0GCNHg
Biography
It is impossible to think about American literature and to not think about Ernest Hemingway. I love many of his short stories; I can hardly recommend reading any of them. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is my favorite Hemingway's novel. I like it because it talks about the Spanish Civil war, a time of the history my grandparents lived, and it makes me closer to them and the past I did not share with them.
8. Bob Dylan? (2016).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHjzuqq3b44
Frederick Benavides
I never agreed that Bod Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature. I think the Swedish Academy made a mistake. My problem is not with Dylan, who was more surprised than me wit this award; I think he is an excellent musician, but the Nobel Prize is not for him. It is like I win the Grammy for Country music; it is not my professional area.
I gave you a lot of homework with all these authors. I decided on a goal for myself. I should start reading new Nobel Prize winners and give you further suggestions next year.
