Mario Benedetti, born Mario Orlando Hardy Hamlet Brenno Benedetti Farrugia, was a towering figure in Latin American literature, celebrated for his prolific output and significant contributions to the Spanish-speaking literary world. As a member of the revered Generación del 45, a group of intellectual and literary figures in Uruguay, Benedetti's work spanned various genres including poetry, novels, short stories, essays, theater, and film criticism. This diverse literary oeuvre has been translated into more than twenty languages, bringing his voice to a global audience.

Despite his extensive bibliography of over 80 published works, Benedetti remained relatively unknown in the English-speaking world. However, his literary achievements did not go unnoticed; he garnered numerous awards and accolades such as the Premio Reina Sofía de Poesía Iberoamericana, the Gran Premio Nacional a la Actividad Intelectual in his home country, and even saw an asteroid named in his honor. Benedetti's commitment to literature and human rights is further evidenced by his posthumous legacy, the Fundación Mario Benedetti, established to preserve his work and support human rights and literary pursuits in Uruguay.

Benedetti's career also included a significant journalistic stint; he wrote for the influential Uruguayan weekly newspaper Marcha, eventually becoming its literary director. His exile from 1973 to 1985, due to the military government's oppression in Uruguay, marked a poignant period in his life, yet his return in March 1983 symbolized the resilience and enduring spirit of his literary voice.