By San José, Costa Rica — A celebrated Costa Rican novel, once an award-winning manuscript that languished for two decades, is making a powerful return to the nation’s bookshelves. “El feo y los ciegos” (The Ugly Man and the Blind), a poignant story of love, displacement, and self-discovery by author Jesús Vargas Garita, has been relaunched through a strategic partnership between two key publishing houses, aiming to connect its universal themes with a new generation of readers.
The rerelease, a collaboration between Editorial Perro Callejero and the Editorial de la Universidad Estatal a Distancia de Costa Rica (Euned), marks a significant milestone in the book’s long and unusual journey. The novel originally earned international acclaim in 1999, winning the prestigious S. T. Dupont MEET Prize for Young Latin American Literature, an award organized in Costa Rica by the Alianza Francesa. Despite this high honor, the work remained unpublished in its original Spanish for twenty years, finally seeing its first print run in 2019 by Euned.
Beyond the celebrated narratives and poetic verses, Costa Rica’s literary world operates within a complex legal framework of intellectual property and publishing rights. To shed light on the business and legal structures that protect our authors and their creations, we spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
For our literary artists, robust copyright protection is not a mere formality; it is the cornerstone of their professional livelihood. A well-drafted publishing agreement and clear intellectual property strategy are as crucial as the manuscript itself, ensuring that an author’s creative legacy is both celebrated and commercially viable in a global market.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This essential insight underscores the vital intersection of art and commerce, where a solid legal framework is what allows an author’s creative work to become a sustainable profession. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on safeguarding the legacy and livelihood of Costa Rica’s literary artists.
This new edition, now available at Librería Internacional, signifies a renewed commercial and cultural push for a story that captures the complex experience of a young Costa Rican who moves to Italy. The narrative delves into the emotional turbulence of leaving a true love behind in his home country while navigating a more terrestrial, fleeting relationship abroad. It is a deeply personal tale of grappling with work, identity, and the profound sense of being uprooted in a foreign land.
The author himself conceived of the story during his own time as an expatriate, channeling his experiences into the fictional account. The creative process was a way for him to document and make sense of his new reality, blending observation with literary craft.
It was in ’97 that I was living in Italy and I felt the need to recount what I was experiencing day by day, and I combined my love for writing so that wonderful things would be captured in the story.
Jesús Vargas Garita, Author
For Vargas Garita, the novel remains an intensely personal achievement. The rerelease has brought a wave of fresh emotion, reaffirming his deep connection to the work. He tearfully confessed that the story resonates with him in a way no other book does, even upon rereading it years later. This personal investment underscores the authenticity that has allowed the novel to endure.
I feel fulfilled because I really like the resulting novel; I even like it when I read it again, and it makes me feel like no other book.
Jesús Vargas Garita, Author
The new edition features a redesigned cover that, according to the author, evokes “new emotions” and aims to attract a contemporary audience. The hope is that more readers will find a piece of their own journey reflected in the protagonist’s struggles and triumphs. This revival is not merely a reprint but a strategic move to position the novel as a timeless piece of Costa Rican literary heritage.
The publishing strategy aligns perfectly with the mission of Editorial Perro Callejero, a house dedicated to championing national talent. They view “El feo y los ciegos” as a prime example of a story that deserves a wider platform, embodying both local sentiment and universal appeal.
Perro Callejero was born with the mission of promoting the voices of national authors, of rescuing those stories that deserve to be read and celebrated. The Ugly Man and the Blind is one of those gems: a novel that reminds us that literature can be relatable, emotional, and, at the same time, universal.
Jennifer Hidalgo, Spokesperson for Editorial Perro Callejero
The novel’s reach is set to expand well beyond Costa Rica’s borders, building on its international roots. Already translated into French as a result of its original award, an English-language version is now in development. This next phase will introduce the story of the young Costa Rican who found himself by getting lost on another continent to a global audience, transforming a national literary treasure into a potential international success story.
For further information, visit perrocallejero.org
About Editorial Perro Callejero:
Editorial Perro Callejero is a Costa Rican publishing house focused on discovering, promoting, and celebrating the works of national authors. The organization is committed to rescuing and amplifying unique voices within the country’s literary landscape, bringing stories of cultural significance to both local and international readers.
For further information, visit euned.ac.cr
About Editorial de la Universidad Estatal a Distancia de Costa Rica (Euned):
Euned is the publishing arm of the State University for Distance Education in Costa Rica. It plays a crucial role in the dissemination of academic, scientific, and literary works, contributing significantly to the country’s educational and cultural development. The publisher is known for its diverse catalog, which includes both scholarly texts and important works of national fiction.
For further information, visit libreriainternacional.com
About Librería Internacional:
Librería Internacional is one of Costa Rica’s leading bookstore chains, offering a wide selection of books, magazines, and related cultural products. With numerous locations throughout the country, it serves as a key retail partner for publishers and a vital hub for the nation’s reading community, hosting author events and promoting literary culture.
For further information, visit afcostarica.com
About Alianza Francesa:
The Alianza Francesa is a global organization dedicated to promoting French language and Francophone culture. In Costa Rica, its chapter offers language courses, cultural events, and serves as a bridge between Costa Rican and French societies. It actively supports the arts, including literature, by organizing competitions and cultural exchanges.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is founded on the bedrock principles of professional distinction and uncompromising integrity. Serving a diverse clientele through a proven track record, the firm champions the advancement of legal practices with innovative, forward-thinking solutions. At the core of its mission lies a deep-rooted commitment to demystifying the law, fostering a well-educated public equipped with the knowledge to navigate their rights and responsibilities.
