Contemporary Spanish Literature with David Uclés

About this event

In conversation with Maite Usoz Join acclaimed Spanish author David Uclés for a special conversation with Professor Maite Usoz , exploring contemporary Spanish literature, memory, identity, and the creative process behind his work. Together, they will discuss Uclés's literary journey, the themes that shape his writing, and the place of fiction in understanding history and society today. The conversation will offer audiences a unique opportunity to gain insight into one of Spain's most compelling contemporary voices, followed by a Q&A session with the public. Whether you are a long-time reader of David Uclés or simply interested in current trends in Spanish literature, this event promises an engaging and thought-provoking exchange between author and scholar. David Uclés (Úbeda, 1990) a translation and Interpreting graduate, is an author, musician, illustrator, and translator. He has worked as a Spanish, German, French and English teacher in various countries and now writes for La Vanguardia , El País , Diario Jaén , and La SER . Born in Úbeda, he was named the city’s hijo predilecto (distinguished native) in 2025. With his novel La ciudad de las luces muertas (Destino, 2026) he received the Nadal Award. His third novel, La península de las casas vacías (Siruela, 2024), became an international phenomenon with more than 500.000 copies sold, becoming one of the bestsellers of 2024 and 2025 and 19 translations including French, German, Italian and Portuguese. For this novel, he received the Cálamo Award for Best Book of the Year 2024, the Andalusian Critics’ Award, the Espartaco Award for Best Historical Novel, the Dulce Chacón Prize, the San Clemente Prize, the Kelvin 505 Award for Best Fantasy Novel, the Award for Best Novel at Festival 42, and the Andalusia Culture Award. It was also Spain’s nominee for the 2025 European Union Prize for Literature and a finalist for the Vargas Llosa Biennial. In 2024 it was chosen as the best Spanish novel of the year by Babelia ’s annual list (2024). La península de las casas vacías is also set to be adapted for film. He has also published the novels Emilio y Octubre (Dos Bigotes) and El llanto del león ( The Cry of the Lion , Complutense Prize for Literature 2019), and has been awarded the Leonardo Grant, the Ministry Grant for Literary Creation, and the Montserrat Roig Grant. Magical realism predominates in his work. With his latest novel La ciudad de las luces muertas (Destino, 2026) he received the prestigious Nadal Award. Event in English.