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Patricia Engel

パトリシア・エンゲル

Patorishia Engeru

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
United States
Nationality
United States, Colombia
Languages
English, Spanish
Residence History
New Jersey (raised) → Miami (residence) → New York (residence) → Paris (studies)

Career

Occupations
Author, Creative writing professor, Editor
Active Years
2007-
Affiliations
University of Miami (creative writing faculty), The Miami Rail (literary editor)

Education

New York University
Arts and Science / French and Art History
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Period: 1995–1999
Year of Graduation: 1999
Country: United States
BA in French and Art History
Florida International University
Creative Writing (MFA) / Fiction
Degree: Master of Fine Arts
Period: 2005–2007
Year of Graduation: 2007
Country: United States
MFA in Fiction

Awards

John Dos Passos Prize for Literature
2023
Organization: Longwood University
Result: Winner
New American Voices Award
2021
Work: Infinite Country
Organization: Institute for Immigration Research
Result: Winner
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship (Fiction)
2019
Organization: Guggenheim Foundation
Result: Recipient
O. Henry Award
2019
Work: Aguacero
Organization: O. Henry Awards
Result: Winner
Dayton Literary Peace Prize (Fiction)
2017
Work: The Veins of the Ocean
Organization: Dayton Literary Peace Prize
Result: Winner
Premio Biblioteca de Narrativa Colombiana
2017
Work: Vida
Organization: Eafit / Premio Biblioteca de Narrativa Colombiana
Result: Winner
National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship (Literature)
2014
Organization: National Endowment for the Arts
Result: Recipient
International Latino Book Award
2014
Work: It's Not Love, It's Just Paris
Organization: International Latino Book Awards
Result: Winner
PEN/Hemingway Award (Fiction, Debut)
2011
Work: Vida
Organization: PEN America / Hemingway Foundation
Result: Finalist
New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award
2011
Work: Vida
Organization: New York Public Library
Result: Finalist

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Vida

2010 Short story collection

A collection of short stories focusing on immigration, bicultural identity, family and memory, exploring characters who navigate lives between countries.

ImmigrationFamilyIdentityNostalgia
Translations
  • 2016: Spanish translation (Alfaguara)

It's Not Love, It's Just Paris

2013 Novel (debut)

A love story set in Paris that explores coming-of-age, bicultural tensions, and youthful conflict.

LoveComing-of-ageCultural clash
Translations
  • 2014: Spanish translation (Grijalbo, No es amor, es solo París)

The Veins of the Ocean

2016 Novel

Follows Reina, a woman grappling with grief and guilt after her brother's incarceration; a story of family, loss, and redemption set in Florida.

LossForgivenessFamilySocial justice
Translations
  • 2016: French translation (Flammarion, Les veines de l'océan)
  • 2017: Spanish translation (Alfaguara, Las venas del océano)

Infinite Country

2021 Novel

A novel tracing a family's immigrant history across borders, exploring belonging and identity; received critical acclaim and bestseller recognition.

ImmigrationFamily historyBordersBelonging

The Faraway World

2023 Short story collection

A collection of short stories dealing with immigration, family and cultural crossings; named a notable book by several publications.

ImmigrationFamilyMemory

Bibliography

  • 2010: Vida
  • 2013: It's Not Love, It's Just Paris
  • 2016: The Veins of the Ocean
  • 2021: Infinite Country
  • 2023: The Faraway World

Translations of Works

  • Vida — Spanish translation (Alfaguara, 2016)
  • It's Not Love, It's Just Paris — Spanish translation (Grijalbo, 2014)
  • The Veins of the Ocean — French translation (Flammarion, 2016)
  • The Veins of the Ocean — Spanish translation (Alfaguara, 2017)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realist depictionPoetic and lyrical proseBilingual (English/Spanish) expression
Recurring Motifs
Sea and waterFamily tiesImmigrant journeysMemory and loss

Legacy

Patricia Engel is recognized as an important voice portraying immigrant and bicultural experiences from a Colombian-American perspective. With multiple international awards, she is seen as a bridge between American and Latin American literatures.

Quotes

  • Engel was called "a unique and necessary voice for the Americas."
    Source: San Francisco Chronicle (2016)

Trivia

  • Vida won the Premio Biblioteca de Narrativa Colombiana and was the first woman—and the first book in translation—to receive the prize.
  • She teaches creative writing at the University of Miami and is a literary editor at The Miami Rail.
  • Infinite Country became a New York Times bestseller and was selected for Reese's Book Club.