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The Penguin Book of Spanish Short Stories
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The Penguin Book of Spanish Short Stories

About the Book

A vibrant collection of classic Spanish short stories and hidden gems alike, compiled by celebrated translator Margaret Jull Costa

A Penguin Classic

This exciting collection celebrates the Spanish short story, from its modern origins in the nineteenth century to the remarkable work being written today. Featuring over fifty stories selected by revered translator Margaret Jull Costa, it blends hidden gems and old favorites, surprising new voices and giants of Spain's literary culture, from Emilia Pardo Bazán and Leopoldo Alas, through Mercè Rodoreda and Manuel Rivas, to Javier Marías. Brimming with romance, horror, history, farce, strangeness and beauty, and showcasing alluring hairdressers, war defectors, vampiric mothers, and talismanic mandrake roots, the daring and entertaining assortment of tales in The Penguin Book of Spanish Short Stories will be a treasure trove for readers.
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The Penguin Book of Spanish Short Stories

Contents

Introduction by Margaret Jull Costa

Benito Pérez Galdós
The Novel on the Tram 

Emilia Pardo Bazán
The Talisman

Leopoldo Alas, ‘Clarín’
Duet for Two Coughs

Miguel de Unamuno
The Likeness

Ramón del Valle- Inclán
The Poor Wee Child

Pío Baroja
The Unknown

Azorín
The Reverse Side of the Tapestry

Eduardo Blanco Amor
The Biobardos

Josep Pla
Counterpoint

Rosa Chacel
The Genie of the Night and the Genie of the Day

Rafael Dieste
Light and Silence

Ramón J. Sender
The Boy 

Max Aub
Ingratitude

Mercè Rodoreda
Like Silk

Álvaro Cunqueiro
Jacinto’s Umbrella

Pere Calders
Feat of Arms

Alonso Zamora Vicente
On a Visit

Julián Ayesta
At the Beach

Miguel Delibes
On Such a Night

Carmen Laforet
The Return 

Ignacio Aldecoa
Come Twelve o’Clock

Ana María Matute
Conscience

Medardo Fraile
Berta’s Presence

Carmen Martín Gaite
Behind the Eyes 

Josefina Rodríguez Aldecoa
Madrid, Autumn, Saturday

Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio
The Recidivist

Juan Benet
Reichenau

Juan Marsé
The Street of the Sleeping Dragon

Esther Tusquets
Summer Orchestra

Álvaro Pombo
Luzmila

José María Merino
The Deserter

Marina Mayoral
Then He Began to Forget 

Cristina Fernández Cubas
A Fresh Start 

Juan José Millás
She’s Everywhere

Vicente Molina Foix
The Real Hairdresser

Soledad Puértolas
Traffic Jam

Carme Riera
The Return Home

Enrique Vila-Matas
Sea Swell 

Javier Marías
A Sense of Camaraderie

Bernardo Atxaga
Teresa, poverina mia

Quim Monzó
The Fullness of Summer

Paloma Díaz-Mas
In Search of a Photograph

Julio Llamazares
Balancing the World on His Chin

Manuel Rivas
The Butterfly’s Tongue

Carlos Castán
The Usher 

Teresa Solana
The Second Mrs Appleton 

Javier Cercas
Against Optimism 

Eloy Tizón
About the Wedding

Karmele Jaio
The Scream

Jesús Carrasco
10.10.10

Javier Montes
Hotel Life 

Harkaitz Cano
The Keys to the Apartment 

Eider Rodríguez
And Shortly After That, Now 

Elvira Navarro
Love 

Cristina García Morales
The Generation Gap 

Aixa de la Cruz
True Milk 

Copyright information

My Fellow Translators

Translator’s Acknowledgements

About the Author

Margaret Jull Costa
More by Margaret Jull Costa
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About the Author

Margaret Jull Costa
More by Margaret Jull Costa
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About the Author

Margaret Jull Costa
More by Margaret Jull Costa
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About the Author

Peter Bush
Peter Bush is an English literary translator. He was born in Lincolnshire in 1946. He earned a DPhil (the Oxford term for a PhD) in Spanish history and fiction from Oxford University. Bush has received a great number of awards for his translating work, including the 2015 La Creu de Sant Jordi, the most distinguished award given by the Generalitat of Catalonia, for the translation and promotion of Catalan literature. He has served on the editorial board of the Massachusetts Review since 2014. More by Peter Bush
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About the Author

Kathryn Phillips-Miles
Peter Bush is an English literary translator. He was born in Lincolnshire in 1946. He earned a DPhil (the Oxford term for a PhD) in Spanish history and fiction from Oxford University. Bush has received a great number of awards for his translating work, including the 2015 La Creu de Sant Jordi, the most distinguished award given by the Generalitat of Catalonia, for the translation and promotion of Catalan literature. He has served on the editorial board of the Massachusetts Review since 2014. More by Kathryn Phillips-Miles
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About the Author

Simon Deefholt
Peter Bush is an English literary translator. He was born in Lincolnshire in 1946. He earned a DPhil (the Oxford term for a PhD) in Spanish history and fiction from Oxford University. Bush has received a great number of awards for his translating work, including the 2015 La Creu de Sant Jordi, the most distinguished award given by the Generalitat of Catalonia, for the translation and promotion of Catalan literature. He has served on the editorial board of the Massachusetts Review since 2014. More by Simon Deefholt
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About the Author

Kit Maude
Peter Bush is an English literary translator. He was born in Lincolnshire in 1946. He earned a DPhil (the Oxford term for a PhD) in Spanish history and fiction from Oxford University. Bush has received a great number of awards for his translating work, including the 2015 La Creu de Sant Jordi, the most distinguished award given by the Generalitat of Catalonia, for the translation and promotion of Catalan literature. He has served on the editorial board of the Massachusetts Review since 2014. More by Kit Maude
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About the Author

Thomas Bunstead
Peter Bush is an English literary translator. He was born in Lincolnshire in 1946. He earned a DPhil (the Oxford term for a PhD) in Spanish history and fiction from Oxford University. Bush has received a great number of awards for his translating work, including the 2015 La Creu de Sant Jordi, the most distinguished award given by the Generalitat of Catalonia, for the translation and promotion of Catalan literature. He has served on the editorial board of the Massachusetts Review since 2014. More by Thomas Bunstead
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