WikiPeru • The Encyclopedia of Peru
The AIgorythm project
Playwright and actor
Novelist
Writer and poet
Volleyball player
Italian-Peruvian naturalist and geographer
Singer and percussionist
Last Inca emperor
Politician, former prime Minister
Journalist and TV host
Poet
Inca warrior
Actor and comedian
Biophysicist
Poet
Doctor and researcher
Businessman, Interbank group
Journalist and writer
Poet and writer
Singer and songwriter
Writer
Film director, Berlin Golden Bear winner
Football player
Writer and journalist
Doctor and scientist
Photograph
Chess player
Industrialist
Former general
Specialist in public health
Actress and singer
Afro-Peruvian music singer
Mathematician and engineer
Indigenous chronicler
Neurologist and anthropologist
Painter
Football player
National hero, military leader
Intellectual and reformer
Chef and entrepreneur
Fashion designer
Singer-songwriter
TV presenter
Marathon runner
Indigenous Peruvian chronicler
Theologian
Former national team captain
Economist and former health minister
Inca princess
Writer and television host
Folk musician
Poet and guerrilla
Former UN secretary-general
Chef, known for fusion cuisine
Football player
Peruvian aviation pioneer
Poet and artist
Marxist philosopher and writer
Industrialist and businessman
Novelist and ethnologist
Painter and muralist
Opera tenor
Fashion designer
Cardinal of Lima
Peruvian tennis player
Football coach
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Military hero
War of the Pacific hero
The youngest mother in history
Politician
Creole music singer
Tennis player
Musician
Writer and politician
Politician and founder of the Christian Democratic Party
Founder of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae
Archaeologist and anthropologist
Military leader and politician
Television host
Actress and singer
Contemporary sculptor
Women’s rights activist
Beauty queen
Astrophysicist
Heroine of independence
Mathematician and archaeologist
Historian and anthropologist
Military figure and historical figure
Fashion photographer
Writer, Nobel Prize in Literature, Politician
Revolutionary leader
Environmental activist
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Musician from Gaia band
War hero
Military leader and politician
Chef, known for Nikkei cuisine
Volleyball coach and former player
Environmental activist
Television personality
Writer
Football player
Epidemiologist and former health Minister
Inventor and aerospace pioneer
Soldier and inventor
Rock singer
Chef and co-owner of Central restaurant
Painter
Football player
TV presenter and actress
Actor
Writer and historian
Journalist and lawyer
Archaeologist, founder of Caral site
Monk and Saint
Saint, patron of Latin America
Physicist and engineer
World champion surfer
Actress
Oncologist
Singer, Latin Grammy winner
Former mayor of Lima
Singer
Actress
Former football player
Painter
Former football player
Painter
Inca leader
Archbishop, saint
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Revolutionary indigenous leader
Diplomat and intellectual
Sculptor and painter
Political leader, founder of APRA
Lawyer and Former prime minister
Chef of Central restaurant
Former head of secret services
Popular singer
Fashion designer
Exotic music singer
Oswaldo Reynoso, born on April 10, 1931, in Arequipa and passed away on May 24, 2016, in Lima, is considered one of the most important writers in contemporary Peruvian literature. His work, marked by an innovative approach to social realism and a bold exploration of themes such as identity, youth, and marginalization, made him a central figure in Latin American literature. Known for his direct and poetic style, Reynoso captured the challenges and aspirations of working-class Peruvian youth with a unique sensitivity.
Oswaldo Reynoso was born in Arequipa, in southern Peru, where he grew up in a modest environment. After completing his secondary education, he studied literature at the National University of San Agustín, and later at the National University of San Marcos in Lima. In Lima, Reynoso became involved in literary circles and connected with other renowned Peruvian writers such as José María Arguedas. Reynoso taught for many years at various educational institutions in Peru, including the prestigious Guadalupe College in Lima, while continuing his prolific literary career.
One of Oswaldo Reynoso’s most emblematic books is « Los inocentes » (1961), a collection of stories centered on a group of marginalized teenagers from the working-class neighborhoods of Lima. This book, now a classic of Peruvian literature, is often compared to James Joyce’s work for its innovative narrative style and use of colloquial language. Through the eyes of these young people, Reynoso explores violence, sexuality, and the search for identity in a challenging urban environment.
Reynoso dared to portray the harsh realities of life in Lima’s poor neighborhoods, addressing themes such as crime, drugs, and social marginalization, while capturing the innocence and fragility of youth. « Los inocentes » was praised for its bold realism, but it also generated controversy due to its explicit language and raw depictions.
Reynoso never hesitated to engage in the social and political debates of his time. Throughout his life, he championed the rights of marginalized groups, particularly young people, LGBTQ individuals, and workers. His writing often reflects a critique of the power structures that keep these groups on the periphery of society. He also opposed the conservative social norms that dominated Peru during the 1960s and 1970s.
Through his work, Reynoso sought to give a voice to the invisible, to those rarely represented in traditional Peruvian literature. He also advocated for literature to be used as a tool for social transformation, firmly believing that fiction could awaken consciousness and inspire change.
After the success of « Los inocentes », Reynoso continued exploring the social realities of Peru with works such as « El escarabajo y el hombre » (1970) and « En octubre no hay milagros » (1965), a novel that delves deeper into the themes of alienation and despair among Lima’s working-class. The latter book, written in a poetic and symbolic style, reinforced Reynoso’s reputation as an engaged writer, capable of capturing the complex realities of Peruvian life with remarkable psychological and emotional depth.
In addition to his literary output, Reynoso also worked as an editor and mentor to young Peruvian writers. His influence on the next generation of Latin American authors is undeniable, and he is often cited as an inspiration for writers seeking to depict urban life and the struggles of youth in contexts of poverty and social exclusion.
Oswaldo Reynoso remained true to his ideals throughout his life. Despite the criticism and controversies sparked by his work, he continued to write about issues he deemed essential to Peruvian society. As both a writer and a teacher, he encouraged intellectual independence and creativity among his students and readers, advocating for a literary approach that was both accessible and meaningful.
He also resisted commercial pressures, often choosing to publish his books with independent publishers rather than seeking mainstream success. Reynoso always prioritized artistic integrity over popularity, believing that literature should be an honest and critical reflection of social reality.
Upon his death in 2016, Oswaldo Reynoso left behind a literary legacy that continues to influence writers and readers in Peru and across Latin America. His work is taught in schools and universities, and his books are regularly reissued. He is recognized as one of the most important authors in contemporary Peruvian literature, and his commitment to social justice and equality remains an inspiration to many.
Reynoso made a profound mark on Latin American literature with his ability to portray urban Peruvian life with rare precision and empathy. He captured the hopes and disillusionments of youth while addressing social and political issues that still resonate today. As a literary and intellectual figure, Oswaldo Reynoso continues to occupy a central place in Peru’s cultural history.
Oswaldo Reynoso is a writer whose influence transcends generations. His works, deeply rooted in the social realities of Peru, offer a valuable insight into the challenges faced by young people and the marginalized in a transforming society. With a style both poetic and realistic, Reynoso left an indelible mark on Peruvian literature and continues to be a source of inspiration for authors and readers around the world.