Abraham Valdelomar: Notes on the foundation of narrative journalism in Peru

Abstract

Through a vast journalistic work and despite a short existence, Abraham Valdelomar establishes the foundation of modern narrative journalism in Peru, anticipating, in more than one case and for several decades, many of the dictates and rules imposed by the called “New Journalism” in the United States thanks to great literary figures like Truman Capote and Tom Wolfe. Valdelomar made of chronic and reportage works of art, under a style that accompanied the gradual modernization of Lima with an esthetician conscious and close to dandyism vision. Valdelomar contributes decisively to eliminate borders between journalistic writing and fiction writing, especially through the, chronic genre in which he reached an unparalleled mastery.