alejandro ahumada's tales and stories

Alejandro Ahumada

 

Modern Magical Realism Author

Biography

Alejandro has navigated his life between change and continuity, journeying from the hills of Valparaíso, Chile, to the green valleys of Cantabria, Spain. His life, marked by resilience and wonder, unfolds along a path that stretches from political asylum to discovery, always balancing adventure with reflection and a perspective that reveals the extraordinary within the everyday.

Due to the political persecution of the Pinochet dictatorship, his mother was forced to seek asylum with him in the United Kingdom when he was just thirteen. Scotland, and later Nottingham, England, became places of new beginnings, where Alejandro’s sense of identity expanded through exposure to diverse cultures.

Each place along his journey—from Falkirk in Scotland, through Nottingham, a period in Madrid, to Dublin, Bois D’Arcy in France, and Getxo in the Basque Country—has woven into his story and enriched his outlook on life. Now settled in Cantabria with his wife and his cat, Déjà Vu, Alejandro continues to explore life as a tapestry of meaningful encounters. Parenthood, with two children who carry forward his vision of life, has added a profound dimension to his journey.

As a computer engineer, he has cultivated a mind that balances logic with creativity, translating these skills into every aspect of his life. But it is in writing that he has found his true voice, creating a modern magical realism that transforms his experiences and cultural heritage into tales exploring the connection between reality and fantasy. His work reflects a unique sensibility, where the everyday intertwines with the magical, revealing the extraordinary in the simplest details.

For Alejandro, ecology is more than a passion; it is the foundation of his values and a guide for his commitment to the world. This vision shapes his way of living, observing, and acting, and it manifests in his work, where nature and humanity merge in a magical balance.

As an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy, inspired by authors like Neil Gaiman, Isabel Allende, Terry Pratchett, and Ursula Le Guin, Alejandro sees life as a canvas where the ordinary and the extraordinary meet constantly. His life is a testament to a personal and contemporary magical realism, where every experience and place reveals the hidden magic of existence.

Titles

Mushroom Hunters

Mushroom Hunters

Neil Gaiman's 'Mushroom Hunters' illuminates the significant role of women in early science, particularly in the careful study and gathering of mushrooms. It portrays women as observant, strategic thinkers who contributed to survival and knowledge through their detailed understanding of the natural world. This poetic narrative underscores the importance of women's contributions to science from ancient times, showcasing their skill in identifying edible and medicinal plants, and their intuitive understanding of the environment.
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And the mountains danced.

And the mountains danced.

"And the Mountains Danced" is a captivating narrative that follows the adventures of Roberto and Cecilia through the Andes Mountains. This fan-fiction story, inspired by Inelia Benz's "The Return", weaves elements of the fantastical with the reality of a young brother and sister exploring the majestic Andes. From learning about tectonic plates and earthquakes to experiencing the awe of condors and the enchantment of a snow-covered landscape, this tale immerses readers in a magical journey through nature, complemented by a blend of wonder and learning
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Tomorrow’s self

Tomorrow’s self

Tomorrow's Self: Synaptic Journeys & Future Visions' narrates the story of Alberto's pioneering research in synaptic science. Inspired by a French university article, Alberto embarks on an ambitious project to explore the synaptic connections in sleep and their relation to future consciousness. The narrative intertwines personal challenges, technological breakthroughs, and the concept of synaptic connections as precursors to future events, unfolding an intriguing tale of scientific discovery.
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Old Forest

Old Forest

'Old Forest' narrates the enchanting tale of a young girl named Ana, who embarks on a magical journey into an ancient forest. Guided by a set of mystical instructions from her grandmother, Ana seeks to find her power and reconnect with nature. The story beautifully blends fantasy elements with environmental awareness, as Ana learns to communicate with the forest, understanding its significance and the wisdom it holds.
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Sheila-en

Sheila-en

The webpage narrates the intriguing story of Sheila, a diminutive yet spirited Angora cat. The tale unfolds her life from a young, playful kitten in Scotland to her adventures in Nottingham, highlighting her intelligence, affection, and playful nature. It captures her unique bond with her human family, her fearless confrontations with dogs, and the profound connection they shared, discerning each other's essence of life.
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The Reindeer Mother

The Reindeer Mother

A long time ago, long before Father Christmas flew across our imaginary skies in his sleigh pulled by reindeer, there was another legend from which the idea of Santa Claus's reindeer was copied. As we know, Santa Claus is now a mix of legends and stories that Coca-Cola unified in the 1930s into the current image of Father Christmas, complete with copyright and all, of course. The Reindeer Mother is an ancestral legend that symbolises fertility and motherhood in the northern peoples. Venerated for her strength in winter and her antlers, which represent life, the Reindeer Mother has been an important spiritual symbol since the Neolithic period, influencing the culture and traditions of these peoples. Discover more about this fascinating legend and how it has shaped the history and beliefs of the cultures of the north.
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The village elder

The village elder

This gripping narrative by Alejandro Ahumada captures the harrowing yet inspiring journey of Pádraig, a Chilean professor, who finds hope and resilience amid the 1973 Chilean military coup's brutality. A symbol of survival, an elder in a concentration camp, becomes a beacon of hope for the prisoners, including Pádraig.
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Tigre-en

Tigre-en

In 1973, against the backdrop of the Chilean military coup, a dog named Tigre becomes the loyal companion of a boy in Villa Berlin on Cerro Placeres in Valparaíso. Together, they face challenges, invent games, and experience heroic adventures. A story of bravery and loyalty in challenging times.
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