Fric Frac Club (France) interviews Germán Sierra

The French website FRIC FRAC CLUB devotes a long interview by François Monti to Spanish author Germán Sierra. The interview begins with these wonderful words:  "Of all the Spanish writers emerged in the last fifteen years, Germán Sierra has undoubtedly the most challenging profile."

You can read the first part of the interview: (here)

Germán Sierra was born in La Coruña in 1960. At present, he lives in Santiago de Compostela, where he combines his work as a university professor in Biochemistry and researcher in medical neuroscience with his literary career.

His published works include El espacio aparentemente perdido (Debate, 1996) La felicidad no da el dinero (Debate, 1999), Efectos secundarios (Debate 2000 - Jaén Novel Prize), Alto Voltaje (Mondadori, 2004) and Intente usar otras palabras (Mondadori, 2009). 

He has written numerous articles which have appeared in various scientific and literary publications, some of which can be viewed, along with updated information about his work at www.germansierra.com

* “It is impossible to remain indifferent to Germán Sierra’s prose; it is conceptual and full of ideas that are as overwhelming as they are fascinating. This has been true ever since his first book.” 

El Mundo (El Cultural)

Alicia en un mundo real, de Isabel Franc y Susanna Martín, ya en librerías

Ya hace unos días que Norma Editorial ha publicado la novela gráfica 'Alicia en un mundo real', de Isabel Franc y Susanna Martín. 

Norma he editado simultáneamente la novela gráfica en castellano y en catalán, bajo el título de 'Alícia en un món real'.

Varios medios ya se han hecho eco de la publicación, entre ellos 'Babelia/El País', 'ABC' (a través de Agencia Efe) y 'El Periódico'. Podéis ver las noticias aparecidas en los siguientes links: 

* El Periódico (aquí)

* ABC/Agencia Efe (aquí)

* Babelia/El País (aquí)

(El (c) de la foto de las autoras es de Ricard Cugat/El Periódico)

                                      LA DIVERTIDA Y VALIENTE HISTORIA DE UNA MUJER QUE HA SUPERADO EL CÁNCER DE MAMA 

La Alicia que os presentamos no vive en el País de las Maravillas. Ha pasado por una experiencia que, lamentablemente, es real y común para muchas mujeres: un cáncer de mama. Sin embargo, gracias a su espíritu luchador, alocado y positivo, ha sabido darle la vuelta a la situación. Ni el periplo de la enfermedad ni los tratamientos agresivos ni la extirpación de un pecho le han robado el sentido del humor. La protagonista de esta historia nos cuenta su aventura partiendo de un lema muy claro: la vida después del cáncer ya nunca es igual… pero viene a ser lo mismo.

Suhrkamp/Insel acquires rights of Hierba Santa

We just come from accepting an offer for Hierba Santa from Suhrkamp/Insel (Germany). Translation rights were recently acquired by Orlando Publishers (The Netherlands) as well. Orlando Publishers is a new imprint of AW Bruna Publishers.

Hierba Santa was published last summer 2009 by Planeta Mexico and, with echoes of Magic Realism, is a vivid homage to Frida Kahlo, a woman who changed the course of modern art.

In the novel we are told that all her life Frida kept a little notebook which she called 'The Book of Hierba Santa (Holy Herb)'. In it, she wrote down not only her thoughts and ideas but also many Mexican food receipes that she prepared every 'Día de Muertos' (Day of the Dead), a holiday celebrated in Mexico to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include preparing the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

What's new and different compared to other books about Frida is that the author uses fantasy in the story: The narrator tells us that after Frida's fatal accident in a tram in her early youth (which actually happened) she dies and meets Death. Frida then reaches an agreement with Death which allows her to go back to life: Every 'Día de muertos' she has to pay a tribute to Death by cooking wonderful meals. Given this, all through the novel Frida is very conscious that Death is also part of life. This certainty gives her a special view of the world and the events that take place.

Some of Frida's favourite receipes are included in the novel towards the end of every chapter, so apart from enjoying the narrative and learning more abot Frida's life, readers can also try their culinary skills and pay their own homage to a woman that has become an icon of 20th century art and feminism.

'Mizé' - Book Trailer

Today we'd like to invite you to watch Mize's Book Trailer. Please do it by clikcing (here)

* “Mizé", by Ricardo Adolfo, has just seen a new edition by Alfaguara/Objectiva. A novel of surprising wit and sarcasm - a perfect portrait of contemporary Portugal.

Francisco José Viegas, Correio da Manhã.

* The entire book is a fast-paced pleasure.

Ingrid Mylo, Germany

* Sublime reading pleasure; a Portuguese who writes books like Almodóvar makes movies! Neon, Germany

Set in the outskirts of Lisbon 'Mizé' is the story of a man who loved the idea of loving a woman, and a woman who loved the idea of being loved by many men. It’s a research on living in an imaginary dimension created by ambitions and wishes, where an ensemble of suburban characters struggles to fulfil their dreams – while struggling with their petty conditions, the daily grind, and bigger aspirations than they could possibly handle.

With a very peculiar point of view, these characters take us into an exploration of double moral standards, ambiguity and into the grey zones that we all operate in. 'Mizé' is a story of fiction versus fiction, where truth doesn’t exist, but lie doesn’t either.

Foreign rights of 'Mizé' have been sold to: Berlin Verlag (Germany) in a pre-empt, Querido (The Netherlands) and Suma – Santillana Group (Spain).

"Aliento a Muerte", de F.G. Haghenbeck en 'Cruce de cables'

Aliento a Muerte, de F.G. Haghenbeck he sido reseñado en el blog 'Cruce de cables'. En esta ocasión dicen, entre otras cosas: "Lectura rápida, de narrativa ágil y final álgido emotivamente. Una inversión arriesgada pero segura. Salto de Página no defrauda y sigue sus principios. Aliento a muerte siente el sello editorial"

"Aliento a muerte" ha sido publicado en España por Salto de Página. Podéis leer la reseña completa (aquí).

'Mizé', by Ricardo Adolfo, new Portuguese edition out!

'Mizé' is a wonderful novel by Portuguese author Ricardo Adolfo. The novel was originally published in Portugal in 2006 by Dom Quixote and now Alfaguara Portugal is about to release a new edition, revised by the author and with a stunning new cover.

Ricardo Adolfo's latest novel, 'Depois de morrer aconteceram-me muitas cosas' ('Lots Happened to Me After I Died', Alfaguara Portugal 2009) has been a success in Portugal and Alfaguara Portugal has decided to back the author and promote him as one of their top Portuguese authors by releasing this new edition while Ricardo Adolfo writes a new novel.

* “Lots happened to me after I died” is a big, enjoyable surprise (Diario Digital, Portugal)

* A level that is uncommon in the new Portuguese literature ('Ler' magazine, Portugal)

* A successful entry in the literary world (Newspaper 'Sol', Portugal)

* Ricardo Adolfo has already received the blessing of his peers. valter hugo mãe and José Eduardo Agualusa recommend him as obligatory reading (Newspaper 'Sol', Portugal)

* Choice of Best Books 2009 from 'Ler' Magazine: Ricardo Adolfo draws with irony a portrait of all those who live immigrated within themselves, wherever they may be. 

Set in the outskirts of Lisbon 'Mizé' is the story of a man who loved the idea of loving a woman, and a woman who loved the idea of being loved by many men. It’s a research on living in an imaginary dimension created by ambitions and wishes, where an ensemble of suburban characters struggles to fulfil their dreams – while struggling with their petty conditions, the daily grind, and bigger aspirations than they could possibly handle. 

With a very peculiar point of view, these characters take us into an exploration of double moral standards, ambiguity and into the grey zones that we all operate in. 'Mizé' is a story of fiction versus fiction, where truth doesn’t exist, but lie doesn’t either.

Foreign rights of 'Mizé' have been sold to: Berlin Verlag (Germany) in a pre-empt, Querido (The Netherlands) and Suma – Santillana Group (Spain).

The novel centers on Palha, a young man who still lives with his parents in the unglamorous suburbs of Lisbon, who desperately wants to fall in love. His life proceeds as expected until one magical night when he finds himself drinking with Mizé, the beautiful and sought-after neighborhood hairdresser. After a night of unprecedented passion, she agrees to marry him. 

Soon after he begins conjugal life in a small apartment, Palha is faced with an insurmountable project at work and seeks advice from his old bar cronies. As is typical, they completely misunderstand his predicament, thinking he’s received a big promotion instead, and so they rent a couple porn movies to celebrate. 

To his horror, Palha discovers the star of the movies is his own Mizé. After confronting her, his life begins a downward spiral which culminates in his attempted murder of a leading porn producer. 

* The entire book is a fast-paced pleasure (Ingrid Mylo, Germany)

* Sublime reading pleasure; a Portuguese who writes books like Almodóvar makes movies! (Neon, Germany)

Orlando Publishers (Netherlands) has acquired rights of 'Hierba Santa', by A. Scheiman

We are happy that Orlando Publishers (a new imprint of AW Bruna Publishers/The Netherlands) has acquired Dutch rights of 'Hierba Santa', by Alexandra Scheiman. The Bruna Group publishes important international authors in The Netherlands, and some of the most acclaimed Spanish speaking ones such as Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Marcelo Figueras or Guillermo Martínez.

'Hierba Santa' has been published by Planeta Mexico and, with echoes of Magic Realism, is a vivid homage to Frida Khalo, a woman who changed the course of modern art. 

In the novel we are told that all her life Frida kept a little notebook which she called 'The Book of Hierba Santa (Holy Herb)'. In it, she wrote down not only her thoughts and ideas but also many Mexican food receipes that she prepared every 'Día de Muertos' (Day of the Dead), a holiday celebrated in Mexico to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include preparing the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Some of Frida's favourite receipes are included in the novel towards the end of every chapter, so apart from enjoying the narrative and learning more abot Frida's life, readers can also try their culinary skills and pay their own homage to a woman that has become an icon of 20th century art and feminism.

'Alicia en un mundo real', de Isabel Franc y Susanna Martín

En Abril llegará a las librerías una novela gráfica tierna, divertida y vital: 'Alicia en un mundo real' (Norma Editorial)

Porque 'la vida después del cáncer ya nunca es igual... pero viene a ser lo mismo'.

Isabel Franc y Susanna Martín nos presentan esta novela gráfica en la cual Alicia no vive en el país de las maravillas. Ha pasado por una experiencia que, lamentablemente, es real y común para muchas mujeres: un cáncer de mama. Sin embargo, gracias a su espíritu luchador, alocado y positivo ha sabido darle la vuelta a la situación. Ni el periplo de la enfermedad ni los tratamientos agresivos, ni la extirpación de un pecho le han robado el sentido del humor...

Podéis leer un avance de la novela (aquí).

EL mejor amigo del escritor - Jóvenes Agentes Literarios en Barcelona (Tendències, 04-03-2010)

Ayer, 04-03-2010, el suplemento cultural de 'El Mundo Catalunya' publicó un reportaje de LauraFernández dedicado a los jóvenes agentes literarios de Barcelona. Pinchad (aquí) para leerlo.

Yesterday, 03-04-2010, the Arts supplement of 'EL Mundo Catalunya' published a reportage by Laura Fernández dedicated to young literary agents from Barcelona. Click (here) to read it. 

Promotional Video - Les desventures d'un llibre vagabund, de Paul Desalmand (Editorial Empúries)

Editorial Empúries has recently published the translation into Catalan of Paul Desalmand's 'Les desventures d'un llibre vagabund'. A short novel that tells the story of a book in first person. To help promoting it Empúries has commissioned a beautiful video-clip that you can see (here).

For more info about the book see this link (here).

The image below shows both the Catalan and Spanish (published by Ediciones Destino) versions of the novel displayed in the bookshop La Central del Raval last weekend (20th of February).