Abstract
One of the most important representatives of the contemporary Colombian literature, Álvaro Mutis was also considered, even partially, an expression of the magical realism, the major aesthetic direction followed by numerous members of his generation. Nevertheless, his great originality consists in a personal reinterpretation of several great literary themes; therefore, journey, history or library become the obsessive images throughout his entire creation, Mutis’ alter-ego, Maqroll, being described as a tireless traveler both in the history (of his own soul or the world) and in a vast library – the influence of Jorge Luis Borges being thus obvious. Studying ancient history or reading over and over again the same books Mutis himself used to read, Maqroll always tries to find the hidden meaning of life, to make sense of his own existence and at the same time to write a book capable to express all his ideas and feelings in order that they might not be forgotten. Symbol of his creator’s capacity of creating a literary mask perfectly comparable to Pessoa’s heteronyms, Maqroll represents the most adequate expression of the human condition, standing for the individual having to face innumerable challenges, to cope with love or loss, but also able to find a way to spiritual salvation.