Feb 12 • 22:11 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El Mundo

Lana Corujo, the unexpected bestselling author: "We look at the A side of the Canaries. But there is the B side, inequality and violence"

Lana Corujo's novel 'Han cantado bingo' draws from her reconciliation with Lanzarote, highlighting themes of silence and inner tension amidst external landscapes.

Lana Corujo's recent novel, 'Han cantado bingo', has taken the Spanish literary scene by storm, selling 20,000 copies in its first edition. While the island of Lanzarote serves as the backdrop for the narrative, it is deliberately unnamed in the text, emphasizing the deeper themes of silence and what remains unspoken. This creative choice reflects both an artistic restraint and a powerful method of engaging readers with the emotional landscape of the protagonist, suggesting that what is not said is just as significant as the story itself.

Corujo shares that her connection to Lanzarote is complex; she describes her childhood perception of the island as limiting rather than liberating. It was only through a process of reconciliation that she was able to transform her feelings towards Lanzarote into a compelling narrative. This transformation not only celebrates the island's unique qualities but also critiques the underlying issues of inequality and violence that often linger below its surface. By focusing on these aspects, Corujo is addressing broader societal issues while maintaining a personal touch in her storytelling.

The success of 'Han cantado bingo' speaks to a larger trend in literature where regional narratives are gaining recognition for their depth and authenticity. Through her nuanced portrayal of Lanzarote, Corujo invites readers to explore the complexities of identity, memory, and place, further establishing her as a significant voice in contemporary Spanish literature. As her work garners attention, it opens the door for discussions around the challenges facing the Canaries, thus straddling both literary art and social dialogue.

📡 Similar Coverage