OK, we confess: at Festival 42 we’re unconditional fans of Anna Starobinets. Which is hardly surprising: the Russian writer is one of the most fascinating European creators of our times, as both a short story writer and novelist, and as an autobiographer, without forgetting her children’s and young adult fiction. In the former, the ability of the author of El vivo and La glándula de Ícaro to hybridise science fiction, poetry, horror, beasts and technology with everyday characters is simply extraordinary, magnetic and disturbing as well as beautiful and profound. Interestingly, all of this is also to be found in the hard-hitting Tienes que mirar, her most recent book which is based on her own experience of losing her unborn child in 2012. A raw and powerful story, but nobody has regretted reading it. And of course we absolutely must mention Gatlántida and the Crímenes bestiales series, which features, cats, wolves and other animals who travel, fall in love and solve mysteries, always with her trademark humour and elegance. It’s true to say that having Anna Starobinets at the first edition of Festival 42 is the realisation of a dream. That’s why we’ve organised a conversation for her with another fascinating writer, Elisenda Solsona, author of Satèl·lits, who is also a fan, and with whom she shares all sorts of ideas. Don’t just hear about it, be there!

Taking part:

Anna Starobinets is a journalist and the author of dystopian metaphysical novels such as Una edad difícil, El vivo and the much acclaimed La glándula de Ícaro. Recently she has also published Gatlántida and En la guarida del lobo for children, and the autobiographical Tienes que mirar.

Moderated by:

Elisenda Solsona is a writer and teacher. She has combined horror with Mercè Rodoreda and Montserrat Roig, creating her own unique style with a nod to film, one that has earned her much acclaim and many awards after publishing just two books of short stories: Cirurgies and Satèl·lits.