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This week Elizabeth Day is in discussion with author Pola Oloixarac, whose new book ‘Mona’ is one of a wave of recently published Spanish-language novels breaking new ground.

The books openly break with literary tradition in Latin America, and for the first time see writers exploring under-discussed issues such as state censorship and control to shedding the victim narrative assocated with violence against women. Many of the novels are partly autobiographical, partly based on personal experiences, and discuss issues rarely uncovered in Spanish writing before now.

Providing context to this wave will be Valerie Miles, one of the founding editor of Granta en Espanol, one of the leading forums for developing new writers in Latin America and Spain. Valerie herself is an author, translator, and publisher, and has spent her life promoting Spanish and Latin American literature and bringing British and American voices to Spanish-language countries for the first time.

We have inserts from Elena Medel and Cristina Morales, writers who are also part of the wave exploring new literary frontiers. And a literary postcard from the Guadalajara Literary Festival written by Eduardo Rabasa, the editor of Sexto Pisco, an award-winning Mexican independent publisher which is breaking new writers.

Book List – Sunday 13 February and Thursday 17 February

Mona by Pola Oloixarac: Translated by Adam Morris
Easy Reading by Cristina Morales: Translated by Kevin Gerry Dunn
The Wonders by Elena Medel: Translated by Lizzie Davis
Granta 155: Best of Young Spanish-Language Novelists 2 Spring 2021
A Zero Sum Game by Eduardo Rabasa: Translated by Christina MacSweeney
Prosopagnosia by Sònia Hernández: Translated by Samuel Rutter
Jawbone by Mónica Ojeda: Translated by Sarah Booker
Rabbit Island by Elvira Navarro: Translated by Christina MacSweeney
Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin: Translated by Megan McDowell
Humiliation by Paulina Flores: Translated by Megan McDowell
Eartheater by Dolores Reyes: Translated by Julia Sanches
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enríquez
Fiebre Tropical by Juliana Delgado Lopera
The Rooftop by Fernanda Trías: Translated by Annie McDermott
Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor: Translated by Sophie Hughes
The Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara: Translated by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre
The Story of H by Marina Perezagua: Translated by Valerie Miles
Wind that Lays Waste by Selva Almada: Translated by Chris Andrews