The sky over Lima - Juan Gmez Brcena

WINNER OF THE 2014 OJO CRTICO LITERARY PRIZE

AN OFFICIAL SELECTION OF THE FESTIVAL DU PREMIER ROMAN IN CHAMBRY

Peru, 1904. Jos Glvez and Carlos Rodrguez are poets. Or, at least, they'd like to be. Sons of Lima's elite in the early twentieth century, they scribble bad verses and read all the greats, especially their idol Juan Ramn Jmenez, the Spanish Maestro. Desperate for Jmenez's latest work, unavailable in Lima, they decide to ask him for a copy.

Convinced Jmenez won't send two dilettantes his book, but he might favour a beautiful young woman, they write to him as the lovely, imaginary Georgina Hbner. Jmenez responds with a letter and a signed copy. Elated, and now the talk of their literary circle, Jos and Carlos write back. Their correspondence continues as the Maestro falls in love with Georgina, and the boys abandon poetry for the pages of Jmenez's life.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of bohemian taverns and social unrest in Peru at the turn of the century, The Sky Over Lima is being hailed as the most assured and inventive literary novel to come out of Spain in years.