Hey there! I’m Dai, an Argentinian bookish girl. I’ve been a bookstagrammer for over 5 years. I’ve been invited to write this book for Bookinfluencers.com’s Read the World series; and it’s a pleasure to introduce  you to my recs directly from the end of the world so that your TBR pile grows even more! I’ll recommend Argentinian authors who have been translated into English and I will also make an exception with one author I highly recommend, though he is Uruguayan, he lived most of his life in Argentina! Without further delay, here I present these brilliant Argentinian authors I hope you will love too.

The Aleph and other stories, by Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges is one of the most famous Argentinian authors worldwide. The Aleph, a collection of seventeen stories, is one of his most popular books. The stories, though set in a realistic atmosphere, contain supernatural elements and implausible events. Some of the themes these stories explore are: immortality, identity, acculturation, vengeance, obsessions, and labyrinths. 

The Aleph, the story that gives the name to the book, is about the discovery of an object that may be the universe in itself. Jorge Luis Borges’s writings are full of symbolism, puzzles and philosophical elements. His style of writing is concise and elegant. His work also presents lots of literary references and has influenced generations of writers. This page turner will definitely leave you thinking and wanting more. Ready to read it?

The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares

If you enjoyed The Turn of the Screw or Journey to the Center of the Earth, then you must read The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares. Bioy Casares wrote tales of fantasy, detectives and science fiction. He is considered one of the best authors of Argentinian and Spanish literature. Though his works have been influenced by Jorge Luis Borges, he developed a unique style . The Invention of Morel follows the story of a castaway man who arrives on a mysterious island inhabited by intriguing people. The plot gets even more puzzling when he realizes all these strange inhabitants seem not to notice at all his presence on the island. Later, he meets Morel, a peculiar scientist, and everything starts to make sense- or not. Jorge Luis Borges said Bioy’s novella was perfect and other Latin American authors described it as compelling. I strongly recommend this mind-blowing masterpiece! 

Thursday Night Widows by Claudia Piñeiro

In the outskirts of Buenos Aires city, in “Altos de la Cascada”, a private neighbourhood, you will find wealthy families whose only concern is showing a perfect facade. Every Thursday a group of three friends get together leaving aside their wives who call themselves “Thursday Night Widows”.

But the perfect facade will soon collapse when three male corpses are found in the pool. What could really have happened? Behind the perfect security and the high walls there lies stories of abuse, alcoholism, discrimination, infidelity and more. Set in September 2001, the novel depicts the terrible consequences of the devastating financial collapse in Argentina. It is narrated by a real estate agent, one of the wives, who writes down details of the neighbours’ daily lives in a red notebook. When I read I felt like a lady who wanted to know the tea. I couldn’t put it down! 

Forgotten Journey by Silvina Ocampo

Silvina Ocampo is another key name among Argentinian authors. She wrote fantasy short stories, novels and poems that explore topics such as childhood, metamorphosis and cruelty. Her stories are set in a peculiar and disturbing atmosphere. Some objects that you will constantly find in her works are clocks, mirrors, light and glass. Silvina Ocampo was a brilliant writer but most of her life she was in the shadows because she was Bioy Casares’ wife, Jorge Luis Borges’ friend and Victoria Ocampo’s sister! Victoria Ocampo was more popular than her, but it is said that Silvina enjoyed her privacy and preferred not to be in the public eye. I really enjoyed reading her stories, they kept me engaged and the eery atmospheres left me with a restless feeling. 

South American Jungle Tales by Horacio Quiroga

This author is the exception I told you about at the beginning! He was born in 1878 in Salto, Uruguay but settled in the province of Misiones, Argentina, in the 20th century. He had a great connection with Argentina, where he fell in love with the jungle and used it as a muse for his tales. Inspired by Rudyard Kipling, he wrote Jungle Tales, a collection of eight fantasy short stories for children in which the animals are the main characters. In this book, you can see how fascinated the writer was by the jungle and its magical atmosphere. Some of the themes in these exciting stories are peaceful coexistence, empathy and hard work. When I read the book, I got really fond of the animals! Each story taught me something valuable. Besides, it has some touches of humor and though it is classic for children I think everybody must read such an exciting book!

FAQ

Who is the most famous Argentinian author?
Jorge Luis Borges is widely considered the most famous Argentinian author.

Which Argentinian authors should I start with?
Begin with Borges, Adolfo Bioy Casares, Claudia Piñeiro, and Silvina Ocampo. Try Agustina Bazterrica or Mariana Enriquez if you want a more modern book.

Why read Argentinian authors in translation?
They offer a mix of magical realism, mystery, and cultural insight, making them essential voices in world literature.

Final thoughts on Argentinian Authors

I hope this list inspires you to explore these Argentinian authors and discover the magic of their storytelling. Whether you enjoy philosophical puzzles, eerie short stories, or suspenseful novels, there’s something here to keep you hooked. Have you read any of these writers before?