Javier Marías

Spanish novelist, translator and columnist (1951–2022).

Wrote primarily in Spanish; best known for novels that examine memory, identity and moral ambiguity. Died 11 September 2022.

The review focuses on Berta Isla's circular structure and the novel's preoccupation with secrecy and identity. It highlights the story of those who stay while a husband's double life remains mysterious. Rich intertextual references both illuminate and complicate understanding.

For:Readers of literary fiction, students of narrative and intertextuality, fans of contemporary Spanish literature