Elia Barceló (Elda, 1957) is, apparently, a writer made of contradictions. He lives half and half between the cold of Innsbruck (Austria) and the heat of Alicante; fantasizes for young people and writes for adults; flies in science fiction and kills in crime novels; She surrenders to the story and grows in intrigue… Thus, novel by novel, story by story, she has published more than a hundred titles and, among other literary feats, a National Children’s Literature Award (2020).
Barceló has just presented its third installment of Death in Santa Rita, titled The glass rope (Roca Editorial) and set in the Mediterranean autumn: the Day of the Dead is going to be celebrated, but death is around in the form of skulls, dark family secrets, a disappearance and a rope on a tree. This not to go friendly, where fear can be smelled among bougainvilleas, and stars a sagacious nonagenarian writer, will have its fourth and final part in 2025.
Elia Barceló is ironing in her Spanish home when we call her for this interview. She says that this domestic activity helps her think, connect the dots, and comb the fringes of her next stories. Barceló puts aside the laundry to talk about his book, which coincides with another event. This Friday the 10th, it premieres in Disney+ the Serie The long shadowswhich is Based on her novel of the same name: six women see their lives turned upside down when the police find the body of one of their high school classmates, who disappeared during their end-of-year trip to Mallorca, 25 years ago.
Religions say that in the eyes of God we are all equal, but in practice, we are below
Each of his three books in this series has addressed a mystery issue, in this last one, cults. Alert at the end of it of the danger of falling into them. Do you know of any cases?Yes, but in this book I also talk about women. Religions as a topic have always interested me, seeing how different traditions and countries understand it: Islam, Hinduism… There are always people knocking on your door and I open it to everyone. I know of two cases of a sect, but the details I write are taken from real sects; Yes, I have changed the names so as not to mess with anyone. But anyone who reads it knows that what I tell in fiction is true. I’m not making this up. It is important to note that in each novel of this saga I theme some type of abuse against men’s women, in general. First it was the emotional blackmail, then the physical violence and now it was religious violence. The fear of guilt can intimidate women, especially. Religions say that in the eyes of God we are all equal, but in practice, we are below. Men are almost always the leaders.
Unfortunately, the diseases that are taken seriously are those involving a lot of blood and bones, but mental health is not.
It also addresses mental health, that topic that is becoming more public, but that still seems like a stigma for many.Unfortunately, the only diseases that are taken seriously are those with a lot of blood or those with bones that come out and are visible. If you are diagnosed with cancer it is also very serious. But if we talk about mental health, the first reaction is very doubtful, something like making it up to avoid working. It is happening more and more and we have to take it seriously. Society is pathogenic with this disease.
It is reaching the end of its tetralogy. Winter remains. What is your favorite season and why? That’s one thing I wanted to make clear, that in general, people tend to choose summer and whatever is not summer, is hope for summer. I love autumn, both here and in Austria. Winter is beautiful too, because you see the skeletons of the trees, because of the light… I like them all, each one has its vegetation, its days. But to live it, I prefer summer: I like the water, the starry nights, staying looking at them until late… Summer is always happier, but as I get older I become more grateful. The other seasons also have their charm: putting on a blanket to read, putting candles or making tea is nice when it’s cold.
What will the fourth part of the series be about?The next novel is not going to be more sinister, but I want to address physical violence against women and there will be violent scenes, but I am not trying to make anyone an accomplice, or teach them dirty things. I want the light and the flowers to return.
I feel like starting a fantasy novel.
In this novel he has thrown in a bit of his fantastic side. Are you looking forward to getting back into science fiction?I like everything fantastic, horror, strange and mysterious, anything that is not everyday. It was not appropriate to include it in this story; Since in the old part we were going to have a young suicide, a death, in such an unpleasant way, at the beginning of the night of the dead it would be nice to put something ghostly. But I do want to get into a fantasy. You know that when there is an idea that comes to mind, what I usually do is write a few pages to have the tone, the setting… I started writing a story and when I realized it, I was already a few pages into it.
Is Sofia O’Rourke going to die one day?I suppose one day yes, but I love her very much and I don’t want to lose her. Unless he gives her a shit on her account. I don’t want to, but you can never say, the characters are like life itself.
Does inspiration flow more in a hot country or a cold one?I have never been asked this question. When I am in Innsbruck and autumn begins, I am very fertile there. When you get into your studio, more things come to mind and more things happen to you. If you are here, with the paella, as I say, you are more sensual.
The cloud has greatly simplified the lives of those of us who work in two distant places
How is it organized between Austria and Spain? If you were Sofia and you had to choose a place to stay, where would you choose?I can’t stay here permanently, because my two children and grandchildren are there. I am very happy in Austria, I would not like to have to choose. Just as I am bilingual, I am ‘bi’ in everything else. Now with the cloud and all this technology it is easier to work. But in the old days, it was a hassle, you had to take an external drive and maybe what you had written was not there when you wanted to recover it and you went up the wall. In this way, they have greatly simplified the lives of those of us who work between two distant places.
What does Spain look like from afar?There is a different perception when you are away. When I see how respect and good editing have been lost, it makes me very ashamed. I would like my country to be perfect, but, for example, education has been lost.
And in political issues?For me, politics, I am still a very clear exponent of my generation, I am clearly leftist and I am a socialist without a card. My political inclination is very clear and what bothers me is that this is turning into a soccer game. I’m part of this team and whatever I do, I’m part of it, whether I win or lose. A good idea from the other party is no longer a good idea. As a human being it seems silly to me. It gives the impression that we are not concerned with the common good, but rather with placing its people. It seems ugly to me.
I think that one has to be upright and as honest as possible, I try to be like that
Aren’t you afraid that there are people who won’t read your books because they declare their political inclinations?It is a risk that can always be taken. It’s also bad that they don’t read you because you’re a woman or that young people don’t read you. There will always be prejudices, and what you can’t do is try to make everyone love you, or dress up. I think that one has to be upright and as honest as possible, I try to be like that. Well, whoever doesn’t want to, shouldn’t read me. It is logical and logical that one wants there to be housing, education, healthcare for everyone and for the rich to pay more. It doesn’t seem like a question to debate. It is being lost even among people on the left; This is what happens in the Catholic Church. If you have very clear, ethical and political values but then you violate them (so to speak) nothing happens.
The series premieres The long shadows, based on a previous novel of his. Has she participated in the process in any way?I saw the series two weeks ago and the other day in Madrid, on the big screen, in the preview. It is a very different story from mine, although it has points of contact, of course. I think that those who have not read the novel will enjoy it a lot because the intrigue is different. The actresses are great, both those who play young girls and the older ones. The photography, very good. And I have not participated in the script.
