In Conversation: Juan Trejo and Professor Emily Francomano on Nela 1979

Trejo will present his latest book, Nela 1979, a novel that reflects on memory, loss, and the experiences of a generation in late 1970s Spain. Inspired by the memory of his sister, he explores personal and collective stories, connecting intimate family moments with broader social and historical changes of the era. In conversation with Professor Emily Francomano, Trejo will discuss how his own life informs his writing, how this book relates to his previous works, and the ways in which personal and literary journeys intersect.

Juan Trejo in Washington, DC

Juan Trejo (Barcelona, 1970) holds a degree in Hispanic Philology from the University of Barcelona. He was a member of the editorial board of the now-defunct Lateral magazine and co-director of the literary magazine Quimera. He works as a literary translator and contributes to Altaïr Magazine.

His first novel, El fin de la Guerra Fría, was praised as “a superb exercise in recovering sentimentality written with new tools” (Robert Juan-Cantavella). In 2014, La máquina del porvenir won the X Tusquets Prize for its “formidable narrative display and imaginative ambition,” according to the jury.

His third novel, La otra parte del mundo, was described as “a most original and profound fable disguised as a standard novel” (Carlos Robles, Quimera). He is also the author of the highly original La barrera del sonido (2019).

His latest novel, NELA, 1979 (2024), was also published by Tusquets and praised for how it “unearths a Spain no one wanted to see, which Trejo imbues with painful dignity and literary greatness. An intimate and generous feat that speaks to us all” (Sergio del Molino).