Mariana Enriquez Reflects on Fear, Dictatorship, and Horror Writing

Mariana Enriquez, known as Argentina's Mary Shelley, recently moved to Australia after years of economic hardship in her home country. She described the experience as a 'real reset' for her, as she no longer faces the 'immediacy of catastrophe' she once knew.

Enriquez recounted a recent incident in Tasmania where she was so frightened by a horror film that she called an Uber, claiming to have a leg problem. This fear was unfamiliar to her, as she had never experienced such terror in Argentina.

In Argentina, darkness often meant danger, with many streets left unlit due to safety concerns. Enriquez said adjusting to the 'quietude of northern Tasmania' was difficult, as she had grown used to constant vigilance in her home country.

Enriquez's writing is deeply influenced by Argentina's history of military dictatorship, which lasted from 1976 to 1983. She was a child during this period, which saw the disappearance of around 30,000 people. She described the years of public reckoning with the dictatorship as 'even more horrifying' than the years of rule itself.

As a writer, Enriquez has always been drawn to the dark, partly because of her experiences under dictatorship. She said the fear of being disappeared for writing was a powerful motivation. Her work is part of the New Argentine Narrative, a movement of women writers confronting the country's collective past.

Enriquez's work has resonated with readers, particularly in Australia, where her stories have been translated and gained a wide audience. Critics and writers alike praise her ability to create horror that reflects real-world trauma, rather than relying on mere shock.