José Donoso's personal diaries (referred to as "Notebooks" in this digital archive and in the physical archive's finding aid) represent a rare literary case—an author meticulously documenting his creative process as he writes, capturing his doubts, frustrations, and struggles. At the same time, they reveal a writer who confronts his own darker sides, not only acknowledging them but transforming them into a powerful creative force.

He critiques the Notebooks of Henry James, one of his most admired authors, for their certainty and lack of hesitation. In reflecting on others, he also reflects on his own writing—his diaries serve as a record of his existential and literary uncertainties, which he sees as the very seed of his creative process.

Spanning more than four decades, Donoso’s diaries chronicle not only his creative process but also the personal tensions, family conflicts, and financial struggles that shaped his career. They offer insight into key moments of his life, from his student years at Princeton and his time as a professor at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop to his years in Spain. Through these texts, we gain a deeper understanding of the ideas that influenced the creation of some of his most iconic works, such as El obsceno pájaro de la noche, and the ways in which personal experiences left their mark on his literature.

Access to Donoso's diaries not only allows us to rediscover his works in new contexts, but also to observe how the act of writing these texts was a constant exercise of reflection and self-examination for the author. As such, the archive serves as an invaluable resource for gaining a deeper understanding of Donoso and his lasting impact on Latin American literature.

Statement by photographer Gabriel Pérez Mardones:

In the fall of 1995, fate subtly turned its minute hand, aligning my path with that of José Donoso. A chance encounter in a store in Providencia sparked a conversation that quickly deepened into a shared curiosity and mutual appreciation. That moment set a course for future meetings, dates soon marked on our calendars. From then on, our dialogue flourished, with the image at its core. We spoke of passions and fixations, of certain authors, and of his aims and principles as a writer. Gradually, we managed to coax the creator into view, capturing him through a series of frames that, with a discerning eye, reveal the final chapter of this significant writer's life.