Luis Rafael Sánchez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luis Rafael Sánchez
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| Born | November 17, 1936 Humacao, Puerto Rico |
| Pen name | Wico |
| Occupation | Playwright, novelist |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Genre | novel, short story, play |
Dr. Luis Rafael Sánchez, also known as "Wico" Sánchez (born November 17, 1936), is a famous writer from Puerto Rico. He writes essays, novels, and short stories. Many people think he is one of the best modern playwrights (people who write plays) from the island. One of his most well-known plays is La Pasión según Antígona Pérez (The Passion according to Antigona Perez). It is a sad story, called a tragedy, inspired by the life of Olga Viscal Garriga.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sánchez was born and grew up in Humacao, Puerto Rico. This city is in the eastern part of Puerto Rico. He went to elementary school there.
Later, his family moved to San Juan. He finished high school and went to college there. In 1955, he started studying at the University of Puerto Rico. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at the university, he became very interested in acting. He learned a lot from his teacher, Victoria Espinosa.
Sánchez loved literature so much that he decided to study it more. In 1959, he earned his master's degree in dramatic arts from the City University of New York. He then traveled to Madrid, Spain. In 1976, he earned his Doctorate in Literature from the Complutense University of Madrid.
Famous Plays and Books
"The Passion of Antigona Perez"
Sánchez's most famous play is La Pasión según Antigona Pérez (The Passion of Antigona Perez). It is a tragedy that takes place in Latin America today. The play was inspired by an ancient Greek play called Antigone by Sophocles.
The main character, Antigona, is based on a real person named Olga Viscal Garriga (1926–1995). Olga was involved in politics and was a strong speaker. She spent time in jail for her beliefs. The play first opened in 1968 at the Tapia Theater in Old San Juan. Myrna Vázquez played the role of Antigona.
The play was brought back to the stage in 1991 with a new cast. Alba Nydia Diaz played Antigona. This new show used video and broadcast technology. Another new production opened in 2011.
"Macho Camacho's Beat"
La Guaracha del Macho Camacho (Macho Camacho's Beat) is a novel Sánchez wrote in 1976. This book moves with the rhythm of a guaracha, which is a type of Latin music. It makes readers imagine what this beat sounds like. Some people think the song itself is the most important part of the story.
The novel explores how Puerto Rican culture changes when it mixes with American culture. It also talks about the political situation of Puerto Rico as a territory. The book looks at how some Puerto Ricans might adopt American culture. It also shows how others want to keep their Puerto Rican identity strong. The book was translated into English by Gregory Rabassa.
In his essay "La guagua aérea" ("The Flying Bus"), Sánchez talks about having two cultures at once. He explores the idea of blending with U.S. culture versus keeping Puerto Rican culture separate. He created the term "La guagua aérea," which means "The Flying Bus." Other famous Puerto Rican writers have used this term since then. For example, Giannina Braschi mentions it in her novel "Yo-Yo Boing!". Sánchez also wrote a collection of short stories called En cuerpo de camisa ("In Shirt Sleeves") in 1966.
Luis Rafael Sánchez is now a retired professor. He taught at the University of Puerto Rico and the City University of New York. He often travels to Europe and Latin America. There, he teaches and works with theater groups.
Other Important Works
- Los ángeles se han fatigado (play, 1960)
- Farsa del amor compradito (play, 1960)
- La hiel nuestra de cada día (play, 1960)
- Sol 13, interior (play, 1961)
- O casi el alma (play, 1965)
- En cuerpo de camisa (short story collection, 1966)
- Quíntuples (play, 1985)
- La importancia de llamarse Daniel Santos (novel, 1988)
- No llores por nosotros Puerto Rico (essay collection, 1998)
- Indiscreciones de un perro gringo (novel, 2007)
- El corazón frente al mar (essay, 2021)
- Escribir en puertorriqueño (anthology, 2024)
See Also
In Spanish: Luis Rafael Sánchez para niños
- List of Puerto Rican writers
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican literature
- Latino Theater in the United States
