Guatemalan literature

Guatemalan poet and novelist Miguel Ángel Asturias won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1967.

The Rabinal Achí is a dramatic work consisting of dance and text that is preserved as it was originally represented.

The story tells how the prince of the Kek'chi' fights against neighboring tribes and, while he initially defeats them, he later is captured and taken before the king Job'Toj, who gives him back to his people to say goodbye to and dance with his princess for the last time.

Authors of these poems, who also put their works to music, include Manuel José de Quirós (ca.

During the 18th century, Guatemalan literature was influenced by French neoclassicism, as is seen in educational and philosophical works by authors such as Rafael García Goyena and Matías de Córdoba.

Guatemala gained independence from Spain in 1821, in its desire to establish political and commercial relations with other countries.

Guatemalan writers also participated in Latin American modernism, heir to French symbolism and Parnassianism and driven by the Nicaraguan Rubén Darío.

In poetry, important writers included Domingo Estrada, Máximo Soto Hall, and María Cruz.

The most important Guatemalan writers in this period are novelist Miguel Ángel Asturias (1967 Nobel Prize winner and author of novels including El Señor Presidente and Hombres de Maíz), poet Luis Cardoza y Aragón, short story writer and novelist Augusto Monterroso (2000 Príncipe de Asturias prize winner), and playwright Carlos Solórzano.

In general, 20th-century Guatemalan literature is strongly influenced by politics, as evidenced by the fact that its authors were forced into exile during Guatemala's successive dictatorships and civil wars.