Serna on Writing Historical Novels: “Remodeling” the Past
At the 8th edition of the Premio Jorge Ibargüengoitita, held during the FILUG (67th International Book Fair of the University of Guanajuato), renowned Mexican author Enrique Serna shared insights into his approach to historical fiction.
“The task of a historical novelist is similar to that of an architect dealing with a severely deteriorated old building,” Serna explained. “You must choose between remodeling and restoration. Restoration aims to keep the building exactly as it was, while remodeling makes it habitable for people in your time, possibly preserving some original features.”
Serna described his writing process as ‘mining’ or digging into archives and historical records. “It’s a risky endeavor because you might not end up with anything to write about,” he said. “Yet, as I delve deeper, ideas for the novel start to emerge. It’s laborious work that involves living in the period you’re writing about temporarily.”
Serna’s Award-Winning Works and Upcoming Novel
Serna has published several critically acclaimed historical novels, including “El seductor de la patria” (1999), “Ángeles del abismo” (2004), and “El vendedor de silencio” (2019). His other notable works include the novels “Fruta verde” (2006) and “La sangre erguida” (2010), as well as short story collections like “El orgasmógrafo” (2001) and “Lealtad al fantasma” (2022).
Currently, Serna is working on his fourth historical novel. When asked for a sneak peek, he simply revealed: “It’s set during the birth of the Aztec Empire.”
The Evolution of Investigative Journalism
In an interview, Serna commented on the evolution of investigative journalists like his character Carlos Denegri from “El vendedor de silencio,” who was notable for uncovering truths often hidden by Mexico’s political regime during mid-20th century.
“Such journalists still exist, though not as prominent or renowned as Denegri. Back then, being a high-profile journalist meant aligning with the regime. Thankfully, this is no longer true. Journalism has expanded its freedom since Scherer and Jorge Piñó Sandoval’s time—the latter, a significant character in my novel, eventually silenced by the regime, while Scherer managed to maintain his independence.”
Exploring Moral Ambiguity in Literature
Serna expressed his fascination with exploring malicious characters in his literature: “I believe studying evil is a rich vein for literature. Works like ‘Crimen y castigo’ provoke readers to reflect on why they might sympathize with reprehensible characters, making them contemplate their own capacity for cruelty.”
However, he admitted reluctance in delving into specific modern criminal topics in Mexico, citing the need for deep personal engagement and understanding to portray such themes accurately without compromising his safety.
FILUG 67 Opens with Enrique Serna’s Premio Ibargüengoitia
The 67th International Book Fair of the University of Guanajuato (FILUG) commenced, running until April 13th under the theme “El libro y la lectura: territorios y desplazamientos.” The event features Costa Rican Public Universities and Mexico’s Autonomous Metropolitan University as Honorary Guests.
During inauguration, UG’s rector Claudia Susana Gómez emphasized the role of universities in preserving literary culture:
“Reading is an act as old as civilization itself… Universities, especially public ones, are crucial for cultivating and safeguarding this written heritage.”
In his acceptance speech for the Premio Ibargüengoitia, Serna criticized society’s failure to overcome past issues, exacerbated by contemporary crime affecting both wealthy and impoverished citizens.
Highlights of FILUG 67
- IV Encuentro de Periodismo Cultural: Del Booktuber al BookToker
- 15:00 hours, Auditorio Euquerio Guerrero
- Panelists: Ricardo Quiroga (El Economista), Melissa Moreno (Planeta), Moderated by Alfredo Ortiz Santos
- AutorIA: automatismo incorporado
- 18:00 hours, Patio Jesuita
- Speaker: Santiago Caruso; Introduced by Alejandro Montes Santamaría
- Entre la ficción y los documentos: la novela histórica y sus consecuencias
- 18:00 hours, Patio Jesuita
- Speaker: José Mariano Leyva
- Homenaje a Rosario Castellanos: Otro modo de ser humano y libre
- 16:00 hours, Patio Jesuita
- Participants: Lilia Solórzano and Alejandra Muñoz
