Luiz Vilela Reflects on 50-Year Literary Career and New Editions
Brazilian writer Luiz Vilela, born in Ituiutaba in 1942, discusses his five-decade literary journey in an extensive interview marking the 50th anniversary of his debut collection "Tremor de Terra." The book, first published in 1967 after multiple rejections, won the Prêmio Nacional de Ficção at the time, beating established authors like Osman Lins and Mário Palmério. Vilela's work, known for its sparse style and masterful dialogue, has earned numerous accolades including the Jabuti Prize in 1974 for "O Fim de Tudo," the Pen Clube do Brasil award in 2012 for "Perdição," and recognition from the Academia Brasileira de Letras in 2014 for "Você Verá." His stories have been adapted for cinema and television on networks including Rede Minas, Cultura, and Globo. The author, who began writing at age 13 after witnessing a meteor, worked as a reporter for Jornal da Tarde in São Paulo and participated in the International Writing Program in Iowa City. He later lived in Dublin and Barcelona, where he met Gabriel García Márquez. Vilela, now 74 and living back in Ituiutaba, describes writing as his "cachaça"—a difficult but essential pursuit he has no intention of stopping. His complete works are being reissued by Record.
Key facts
- Luiz Vilela's debut collection "Tremor de Terra" celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026.
- The book won Brazil's Prêmio Nacional de Ficção in 1967, defeating established authors.
- Vilela has received the Jabuti Prize, Pen Clube do Brasil award, and recognition from the Academia Brasileira de Letras.
- His stories have been adapted for cinema and television on major Brazilian networks.
- Vilela participated in the International Writing Program in Iowa City and lived in Dublin and Barcelona.
- He met Gabriel García Márquez in Barcelona during his travels.
- The author describes writing as his "cachaça" and continues writing at age 74.
- His complete works are being reissued by Record publishing house.
Entities
Artists
- Luiz Vilela
- Antonio Candido
- Osman Lins
- Mário Palmério
- Stanislaw Ponte Preta
- Clarice Lispector
- Murilo Rubião
- João Antonio
- García Márquez
- James Joyce
- Rubem Braga
- Fernando Sabino
- Paulo Mendes Campos
- Drummond
- Bandeira
- Rachel de Queiroz
- Wilson Martins
- Nelson Werneck Sodré
- Joel Silveira
- Roberto Drummond
- Wander Piroli
- Oswaldo França Júnior
- Paulo Rónai
- Antonio Carlos Villaça
- Cyro dos Anjos
- Samuel Rawet
- Padre Antonio Vieira
- Débora Falabella
- Giulia Gam
- Daniel Dantas
- Lília Cabral
- Maitê Proença
- Roberto Farias
- Fidel Castro
- Edward Hopper
- Pancetti
- Rabelais
- Kierkegaard
- Nietzsche
- Unamuno
- Walter Benjamin
- Iberê Camargo
- Jasper Johns
- Henri Matisse
- Marie Laurencin
- Hannah Arendt
- Tadeu Kaingang
- Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui
- Antônio Bispo dos Santos
- Nêgo Bispo
Institutions
- Record
- Jornal da Tarde
- Prêmio Nacional de Ficção
- Jabuti
- Portugal Telecom
- Pen Clube do Brasil
- Academia Brasileira de Letras
- Rede Minas
- Cultura
- Globo
- International Writing Program
- Revista Estória
- Suplemento Literário de Minas Gerais
- Texto
- Revista Civilização Brasileira
- Diário
- Editora das Américas
- Suplemento Literário
- Manchete
- IstoÉ
- Jornal do Brasil
- Financial Times
- Flip
- Guia Brasil
- Premio Casa de las Américas
- Palácio de la Revolución
- XII Encontro Nacional de Escritores
- CULTURA!Brasileiros
Locations
- Ituiutaba
- Brazil
- Belo Horizonte
- São Paulo
- Iowa City
- Iowa
- United States
- Dublin
- Ireland
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Salvador
- Recife
- Olinda
- Zona Leste
- Cachoeiro do Campo
- Lorena
- Niterói
- Uberaba
- Gran Chaco
- Argentina
- Paraguay
- Cuba
- Porto Feliz
- Minas Gerais
- Goiás
- Mato Grosso
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brasília
- Algarve
- Portugal
- La Puntana
- Amazônia
- Pantanal