Contents
Roberto Bolaño
Writing The Savage Detectives and 2666, novels of literary obsession and violence.
Distant Star · The Savage Detectives
- Born
- 28 April 1953
- Birthplace
- Santiago, Chile
- Died
- 15 July 2003
More people
Roberto Bolaño
Chilean writer whose fiction follows outsiders, poets and investigators across borders. His international reputation expanded greatly after his death.
Early life
Chile and Mexico
Spent his childhood in Chile before his family moved to Mexico City.
Poetic beginnings
Left formal schooling and immersed himself in reading and poetry.
Career
- 1970s
Poetry in Mexico
Helped form the infrarealist literary movement.
- Late 1970s–1980s
Life in Spain
Settled in Spain and supported himself through various jobs while writing.
- 1990s–2003
Major fiction
Published the novels and stories that established his reputation while working on 2666.
Selected work
Distant Star
A disturbing story connecting poetry and political violence.
The Savage Detectives
A search for poets unfolds through many voices and countries.
2666
A posthumously published novel connecting literary investigation with mass violence.
Beyond work
Poetry first
Continued to identify strongly with poetry even after gaining recognition as a novelist.
Family and illness
Lived with his family in Spain and died after serious liver disease.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Alexandrapociello — 2014 portrait drawing. CC BY-SA 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
