Héctor Tobar

Héctor Tobar is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, novelist, and weekly columnist for the Los Angeles Times. He is the author of several acclaimed works, including the nonfiction book "Translation Nation" and the novel "The Tattooed Soldier." His writing explores themes of immigration, identity, and the Latin American experience, drawing from his own background as the son of Guatemalan immigrants.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tobar has built a career that bridges journalism and literature. His works often reflect his deep connection to the city and his commitment to documenting the lives of its diverse communities. As a journalist, he has earned recognition for his insightful reporting, while his fiction showcases a vivid storytelling style rooted in social realism. Tobar continues to reside in Los Angeles with his family.
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 The Tattooed Soldier 1998
2 The Barbarian Nurseries 2011
3 The Last Great Road Bum 2020
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Translation Nation 2005
2 Deep Down Dark 2014
3 Our Migrant Souls 2023
Héctor Tobar Anthologies
# Title Year
1 The Wandering Song 2017
2 Tales of Two Americas 2017
3 9 Stories on the Magic of Cities 2018
4 Writers Resist 2018 2018
5 Fight of the Century 2020