Pilar Pedraza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pilar Pedraza
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Pilar Pedraza Martínez
12 October 1951 Toledo, Spain
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| Alma mater | University of Valencia |
| Occupation | Academic, writer |
| Employer | University of Valencia |
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| Councilor of Culture of the Generalitat Valenciana | |
| In office 1993–1995 |
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| President | Joan Lerma |
Pilar Pedraza Martínez (born on October 12, 1951) is a Spanish professor and writer. She is known for her horror stories and her essays. Her work often explores interesting ideas about art, history, and how people see things.
About Pilar Pedraza
Pilar Pedraza earned her doctorate in history from the University of Valencia. Since 1982, she has taught about film and experimental movies there. She also served as the Councilor of Culture for the Generalitat Valenciana from 1993 to 1995. This role meant she helped manage cultural activities in the region. She was also a member of the board for RTVV, a public broadcasting company. Throughout her career, she has balanced teaching, research, and writing books.
Pilar Pedraza's Writing Style
Pilar Pedraza writes both fiction stories and non-fiction essays. Her stories often feature mysterious characters and settings. She explores themes where strange or supernatural things happen. This can include characters who return from the dead or objects that seem to have magical powers. These elements are often linked to ideas of mystery and wonder.
Her Novels and Short Stories
In her first novel, Las joyas de la serpiente (1984), Pilar Pedraza began exploring these mysterious themes. Her later books continued to develop her unique style. For example, in La perra de Alejandría (2003), she tells a special version of the story of Hypatia. Hypatia, called Melanta in the book, is shown as someone caught between different beliefs.
Her Non-Fiction Essays
Pilar Pedraza's research and essays cover several areas. She writes about art and society during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. She also writes about cinema and how women have been viewed throughout history.
One important series of her essays includes La bella, enigma y pesadilla (1991), Máquinas de amar. Secretos del Cuerpo Artificial (1998), and Espectra. Descenso a las criptas de la literatura y el cine (2004). The last book won the 2005 Premio Ignotus for best essay. These books look at how people have been both scared and fascinated by images of mysterious women. These women are sometimes seen as dangerous or as artificial beings.
Her book Venus barbuda y el eslabón perdido (2009) continues this research. It discusses the idea of bearded or hairy women. It explores how these figures challenge traditional ideas about gender and connect women with nature.
Translations by Pilar Pedraza
Pilar Pedraza has also translated important works into Spanish. One notable translation is Francesco Colonna's Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. She translated it as Sueño de Polífilo.
Selected Works
Stories and Novels
- Las joyas de la serpiente (1984)
- Necrópolis (short stories) (1985)
- La fase del rubí (1987)
- Mater Tenebrarum (short stories) (1987)
- La pequeña pasión (1990)
- El gato encantado (1992)
- Las novias inmóviles (1994)
- Paisaje con reptiles (1996)
- Arcano 13, cuentos crueles (2000)
- Fantástico interior: antología de relatos sobre muebles y aposentos (2001)
- La perra de Alejandría (2003)
- El síndrome de Ambrás (2008)
- Lobas de Tesalia (2015)
- Mystic Topaz (2016)
- El amante germano (2018)
- Pánikas (2019)
Essays and Non-Fiction
- Barroco efímero en Valencia (1982)
- Tratado de arquitectura de Antonio Averlino "Filarete" (1990)
- La bella, enigma y pesadilla (1991)
- Federico Fellini (1993)
- Máquinas de presa: la cámara vampira de Carl Th. Dreyer (1996)
- Máquinas de amar. Secretos del Cuerpo Artificial (1998)
- Metrópolis, Fritz Lang: estudio crítico (2000)
- "La mujer pantera": Jacques Tourneur (1942) (2002)
- Espectra. Descenso a las criptas de la literatura y el cine (2004)
- Venus barbuda y el eslabón perdido (2009)
- Brujas, sapos y aquelarres (2014)
- Jean Cocteau. El gran ilusionista (2016)
Translations
- La fuga de Atalanta: alquimia y emblemática (1989)
- Sueño de Polífilo (1999), ISBN: 9788496834033
Anthologies (Collections of Stories)
- Onírica, Hijos de Iquelo (short stories, prologue by Jack Ketchum, James Crawford Publishing, 2016)
- Aquelarre. Antología del cuento de terror español actual (short stories, Salto de Página, Madrid, 2010), ISBN: 9788415065029
- La maldición de la momia. Relatos de horror sobre el antiguo Egipto. Navarro, Antonio José (ed.) Madrid, Valdemar, 2006, ISBN: 8477025460
Awards and Recognition
Pilar Pedraza has received several awards for her writing:
- 1984: City of Valencia Award for Las joyas de la serpiente
- 1984: Critics' Award for Las joyas de la serpiente
- 2005: Premio Ignotus for Espectra. Descenso a las criptas de la literatura y el cine
- 2013: Nocte Award for Lucifer Circus
- 2016: Premio Sheridan Le Fanu de la Semana Gótica de Madrid for her entire literary career
See also
In Spanish: Pilar Pedraza para niños
