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Reading the City: A City in Short Fiction
The Book of Barcelona: A City in Short Fiction
A slighted wife escapes her wealthy family for the evening and stumbles into the city’s red-light district…
The head of security at Barcelona’s container port searches for a figure that only he has seen sneak in…
An elderly woman brings home a machine that will turn her body into atoms, so she can leave behind a city that is no longer recognisable…
Historically, Barcelona is a city of resistance and independence; a focal point for Catalan identity, as well as the capital of Spanish republicanism. Nestled between the Mediterranean coast and mountains, this burgeoning city has also been home to some of the greatest names in modern art and architecture, and attracts visitors and migrants from all over the world.
As a result, the city is a melting-pot of cultures, and the stories gathered here offer a miscellany of form and genre, fittingly reminiscent of one of Gaudi’s mosaics. From the boy-giant outgrowing his cramped flat on the city’s outskirts, to the love affair that begins in a launderette, we meet characters who are reclaiming the independence of their city by challenging common misconceptions and telling its myriad truths.
The head of security at Barcelona’s container port searches for a figure that only he has seen sneak in…
An elderly woman brings home a machine that will turn her body into atoms, so she can leave behind a city that is no longer recognisable…
Historically, Barcelona is a city of resistance and independence; a focal point for Catalan identity, as well as the capital of Spanish republicanism. Nestled between the Mediterranean coast and mountains, this burgeoning city has also been home to some of the greatest names in modern art and architecture, and attracts visitors and migrants from all over the world.
As a result, the city is a melting-pot of cultures, and the stories gathered here offer a miscellany of form and genre, fittingly reminiscent of one of Gaudi’s mosaics. From the boy-giant outgrowing his cramped flat on the city’s outskirts, to the love affair that begins in a launderette, we meet characters who are reclaiming the independence of their city by challenging common misconceptions and telling its myriad truths.
- GenresSpainShort Stories
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2021
4 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 9, 2022
I have been to Barcelona a few times that’s why I wanted to read this book. There a six short stories all by different authors. The stories are written in the last two decades by authors who are mostly of a younger generation. Although these stories cannot possibly claim to be a complete portrait of Barcelona, they certainly reflect many of its essential traits.
This book starts of with an introduction. Then onto the six short stories. I haven’t heard of any of the authors or the translators, so this was something a bit different from my usual type of book that I would normally pick to read.
Although I have read books with different authors telling a short story, this one was different with authors from Barcelona writing their short stories, and without stories Barcelona wouldn’t exist as we know it.
The first story is : Ester ( Without an Aitch) by Empar Moliner Translated by Peter Bush
The second story is : An Exemplary by Borja Bagunya Translated by Jennifer Arnold
The third story is : The Santa Anna Hotel by Lucia Ramis Translated by Laura McGloughlin
The fourth story is : Flags by Francesco Seres Translated by Helen Buffery
The fifth story : Guardians of Contemporary Art by Jordi Punti Translated by Maruxa Relano and Martha Tennent
The sixth story : Atoms Like Snowflakes by Carlota Gurt Translated by Mary Ann Newman.
This book starts of with an introduction. Then onto the six short stories. I haven’t heard of any of the authors or the translators, so this was something a bit different from my usual type of book that I would normally pick to read.
Although I have read books with different authors telling a short story, this one was different with authors from Barcelona writing their short stories, and without stories Barcelona wouldn’t exist as we know it.
The first story is : Ester ( Without an Aitch) by Empar Moliner Translated by Peter Bush
The second story is : An Exemplary by Borja Bagunya Translated by Jennifer Arnold
The third story is : The Santa Anna Hotel by Lucia Ramis Translated by Laura McGloughlin
The fourth story is : Flags by Francesco Seres Translated by Helen Buffery
The fifth story : Guardians of Contemporary Art by Jordi Punti Translated by Maruxa Relano and Martha Tennent
The sixth story : Atoms Like Snowflakes by Carlota Gurt Translated by Mary Ann Newman.
February 25, 2022
A good choice if you are heading for BARCELONA
This is the latest in the Reading the City series, published by Comma Press, a collection of 6 stories that is designed to take the reader to the heart of the city. It is a metropolis full of colour and flavour, sandwiched between the mountains and the sea and there is quite a sense of the influence of the sea – shipping containers at the port, driving through the city and very aware of the sea perhaps just the other side of buildings, obscuring the view.
An interesting mix of storylines ranging from the theft of a bag as visitors to a hotel are unpacking their van and checking in, to the story about a child severely outgrowing his apartment. These are stories full of whimsy that capture a sense of the city. Overall these curated stories don’t quite evoke this city as much as other destinations in A City in Short Fiction.
A good choice if you are looking for a book set in Barcelona that will transport you – to revisit your own experiences or get you in the mood for an upcoming visit. And as always in this series, a rather lovely book cover design.
This is the latest in the Reading the City series, published by Comma Press, a collection of 6 stories that is designed to take the reader to the heart of the city. It is a metropolis full of colour and flavour, sandwiched between the mountains and the sea and there is quite a sense of the influence of the sea – shipping containers at the port, driving through the city and very aware of the sea perhaps just the other side of buildings, obscuring the view.
An interesting mix of storylines ranging from the theft of a bag as visitors to a hotel are unpacking their van and checking in, to the story about a child severely outgrowing his apartment. These are stories full of whimsy that capture a sense of the city. Overall these curated stories don’t quite evoke this city as much as other destinations in A City in Short Fiction.
A good choice if you are looking for a book set in Barcelona that will transport you – to revisit your own experiences or get you in the mood for an upcoming visit. And as always in this series, a rather lovely book cover design.
February 16, 2023
There's like 2 good stories, honestly the only reason I'd give this book 2 stars. You'd know which ones if you read the book. They are they are the only stories that don't seem like they finish cause the author got bored of writing them. The rest feel like they were written for a free online blog where the authors talk about Barcelona as if they spent a year abroad there in their early 20s.
Some of the stories are written solely to incorporate as many Barcelona buzzwords that they can that they end up forgetting to make the story entertaining.
Also I realised that each time a story mentions a Romanian person it's linked to them stealing and the one time they mention a Latino person, the person is violent thug.
First time writing a review as this book shook me.
Some of the stories are written solely to incorporate as many Barcelona buzzwords that they can that they end up forgetting to make the story entertaining.
Also I realised that each time a story mentions a Romanian person it's linked to them stealing and the one time they mention a Latino person, the person is violent thug.
First time writing a review as this book shook me.
March 16, 2022
I loved the premise of this book and the introduction meant that I started this book on such a high. Unfortunately, a lot of these short stories really weren't for me, and there were few I actually really enjoyed. However, the ones I did enjoy were soo good! The Santa Anna Hotel, Guardians of Contemporary Art, and Every Colour were incredible. It's definitely given me some authors and translators to look out for!
January 23, 2025
sad to say this but this is by far the worst collection of short stories I’ve read
to do justice to this book, I need to admit that 2/3 out of 10 stories were bearable/moderately good but the rest of them were just a bunch of gibberish - without purpose, without plan, stories that could as well be written by a 12-years-old for creative writing class
additionally, despite the promise included in the foreword that the book’s aim will be to paint a complex picture of Barcelona, in reality these stories could happen elsewhere and it would make no difference; the simple fact that the plot is set in this city is not enough to tell the reader anything about it and all the attempts by the authors to anchor their stories in the location seemed imposed and artificial
no doubt there are exceptional Catalan writers but the stories in this collection definitely weren’t selected well enough to testify to it
big disappointment
to do justice to this book, I need to admit that 2/3 out of 10 stories were bearable/moderately good but the rest of them were just a bunch of gibberish - without purpose, without plan, stories that could as well be written by a 12-years-old for creative writing class
additionally, despite the promise included in the foreword that the book’s aim will be to paint a complex picture of Barcelona, in reality these stories could happen elsewhere and it would make no difference; the simple fact that the plot is set in this city is not enough to tell the reader anything about it and all the attempts by the authors to anchor their stories in the location seemed imposed and artificial
no doubt there are exceptional Catalan writers but the stories in this collection definitely weren’t selected well enough to testify to it
big disappointment
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August 14, 2024the weirder pieces, like "an exemplary life" and "atoms like snowflakes" definitely stand out here, but i enjoyed almost all of the stories (special shout out to "guardians of contemporary art" bc it was really funny), with the exception of the last one, "other people's partners". i really don't know what was going on there, the dialogue was ridiculous and the story all over the place, i can't tell why it was chosen. good collection overall, though!!
August 3, 2024
An enjoyable read to accompany our trip to the finest city I’ve ever been to! 🌞
January 4, 2022
The Book of Barcelona is a book made up of short stories by different authors that I never heard of before (probably because I have been living in the Uk for approx 15 years).
Each story has a distinctive voice, the translation is really good... even though I wish I had read this in Catalan, the original language. Regardless, I am glad I read this one!
Reading this one made me want to go to Barcelona... I haven't seen the little family and friends I have left there since 2017/18!! Way before the pandemic, because life happened and this virus doesn't make it any easier. I hope I can go next year.
If you are into translated fiction, pick it up! You will enjoy it.
Each story has a distinctive voice, the translation is really good... even though I wish I had read this in Catalan, the original language. Regardless, I am glad I read this one!
Reading this one made me want to go to Barcelona... I haven't seen the little family and friends I have left there since 2017/18!! Way before the pandemic, because life happened and this virus doesn't make it any easier. I hope I can go next year.
If you are into translated fiction, pick it up! You will enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews