Priest to PEN/Faulkner Winner: Sáenz's Life Story

Benjamin Alire Sáenz, a former Catholic priest turned acclaimed author, passed away at 71 due to complications from a lung disorder. He was the first Latino novelist to receive the PEN/Faulkner Award for his extensive body of work, which included over two dozen books focusing on the U.S.-Mexican borderlands.

Sáenz's writings delved into themes of identity, belonging, and sexuality, often set along the physical and cultural divides between the United States and Mexico. His life mirrored the fluidity he explored, encompassing bilingualism, diverse literary genres, and a personal journey from the clergy to acknowledging his identity as a gay man.

His most celebrated works, published in 2012, were the PEN/Faulkner-winning story collection 'Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club' and the young adult novel 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.' The latter achieved over a million sales and was adapted into a film.

Born in New Mexico and based in El Paso, Texas, Sáenz found his voice addressing the experiences of Mexican Americans and the complexities of border life. He viewed writing as a means of healing from past traumas, stating, "I write all my books to save my life."

He is survived by his sister, Gloria Woods, and two brothers, Ricardo and Joe Sáenz. His final novel, 'When the World Was Happy,' is scheduled for publication in September.