Enrique Arturo Laguerre Vélez (July 15, 1905 – June 16, 2005) was a teacher, novelist, playwright, critic, and newspaper columnist from Moca, Puerto Rico. He is the author of the 1935 novel La Llamarada (), which has been for many years obligatory reading in many literature courses in Puerto Rico.
Biography
Laguerre studied at various universities, obtaining degrees in arts from the University of Puerto Rico and Columbia University.
In 1924, he took courses on teaching in rural areas in the town of Aguadilla. The courses were taught by Carmen Gómez Tejera. After this, he taught from 1925 to 1988, both at the elementary school and university levels.
Laguerre was known to use the pen-names of Tristán Ronda, Luis Urayoán, Motial and Alberto Prado, among others. Married for many years to the well-respected writer Luz V. Romero García, he also worked in many Puerto Rican publications before joining the staff of El Vocero.
Laguerre was mentored by Antonio S. Pedreira. He published La llamarada in 1935, which featured the narrative style characteristic of American works, in reflection of his universalist philosophy. A second edition, with a prologue written by Pedreira, was published in 1939. On March 23, 1973, Laguerre was once again voted into the ICP board, becoming its president in August of that year. Despite their efforts, Laguerre was not awarded the prestigious award.
Laguerre was a prolific writer throughout his life and due to this, Obras Completas, which gathered three tomes worth of content, only features a small portion part of his work.
The 1990s were a rough period in Laguerre's life, with several family members dying. These included his sister Petra in February 1997, his sister Asunción in December 1994 and his brother Ángel In June 1996. Following in the steps of Manuel Zeno Gandía, Laguerre's most influential work focused on the problems of the colonized society. His novel La Llamarada offers a comprehensive view of rural Puerto Rico during the Great Depression. Most of his novels are essential readings in Puerto Rican literature courses. Laguerre wrote more than 200 articles and essays on art and culture, more than 45 about shows, at least 70 about voyages, more than 200 about education, more than 40 about history and anthropology, at least 139 on language and literature, more than 75 on nature and ecology, nearly 200 on individuals, at least 150 on urban planning, more than 170 on politics and economy, more than 450 on sociology, more than 45 on recent events, at least 20 stories, 15 novels, at least 14 poems, at least 3 on theater, nearly a dozen letters, more than a 100 on literary criticism, He was also a guest in the work of other writers, collaborating in eight books and redacting at least 15 prologues. Laguerre personally wrote five anthologies, but his work was included in more than twenty.
Several of his works were translated into English including The Labyrinth, Patchouli, The Enemy, The Cockfight, The Strike and The Benevolent Masters. Laguerre also published five articles and letters in English. On June 10, 1959, Laguerre was named a member of the American Cultural Union. On April 27, 1963, Laguerre received a certificate of merit for his work at Isabela. On January 30, 1969, Laguerre received an honoris causa degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. On November 19, 1975, Laguerre received the Literature Award from the ICP. In 1980, Laguerre received the Mobil Award. In December 1983, the 4th Festival del Mundillo y 3ra Fiesta de Bella's Artes was dedicated to Laguerre. In April 1984, the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico dedicate the Fiesta de la Lengua to Laguerre. On September 22, 1973, Laguerre was hosted as an honor guest of Aguadilla. On February 28, 1974, he was the guest speaker of the Club Rotario at La Romana. On July 15, 2000, Laguerre received a painting from the Club de Cultura de Lajas. In September 2000, the ICP dedicated an issue of its periodical to homage Laguerre. In November 2001, the CEAPRC homaged Laguerre.
Reception
Public and media
Laguerre, his work and actions were the subject of nearly four hundred news pieces. In December 1985, Laguerre was the topic of an episode in WIPR's El escritor y su mundo series.
Critics
Laguerre's work has been widely researched and criticized, leading to more than 400 pieces. More than 75 letters were addressed to him, his merits or his work. On June 29, 1932, El hombre que se malogró received an honorable mention at the Ateneo Puertorriqueño's short novel awards. On October 12, 1933, El hombre caído received an honorable mention at the Ateneo's tale awards. On October 21, 1935, La Llamarada received the Instituto de Literatura de Puerto Rico's Award.