Good Stories
Good stories draw us in. They are narratives that transport us to different worlds; they let us live a different life for a few hours; they teach us; they help us grow and they move us. They are the kind of stories that leave their mark.
A well-constructed story keeps us wanting more and knows how to transport us – compliant, nearly hypnotized – across its pages from beginning to end. During the trip, we immerse ourselves in a world that is not our own, no matter how similar it may seem; it is the world of fiction, in which our imaginations are enriched and our curiosity – far from being satisfied – grows ever stronger.
Some stories have affected our lives, either because of the subject they deal with, the emotions they evoke, what we have learned in reading them, or simply because of the pleasant moments we have spent with them.
In the same way that a good story draws us in, a good author can do the same. We are admittedly big fans of authors who have been able to maintain a connection with their readers throughout their careers, creating loyalty and eliciting excitement from the simple prospect of a new adventure.
Austen, Jane: There is no doubt that Austen captures the atmosphere of England at its purest. She is a direct, clear and interesting storyteller who lets us experience the contradictions between thought and feeling in a culture dominated by appearances.
Baroja, Pío: Clear, simple and spontaneous prose. No rhetoric. Expressive. Pessimistic stories and characters. His books are masterful sociological portraits.
Becerra, Ángela: A great writer and former advertising executive who captivates us with her cleverly interwoven and intelligent stories.
Brontë, Charlotte: Jane Eyre, one of the best-selling novels of all time still being stocked in bookstores. A classic. A passionate story full of insights into the society and class system of rural England.
Cabré, Jaume: An incomparable author. A slow-burning narrative, with a complex structure, alternating between different planes of reality, both past and present. A game of smoke and mirrors that keeps the reader alert and engaged.
Clavell, James: If there is one novel that depicts feudal Japan like no other, it is Shogun. A magnificent story that immerses us in a world completely unknown to Westerners but that leads us to admire, appreciate and love their way of life.
Collins, Larry; Lapierre, Dominique: The historical novel is indebted to these two authors, who intertwine reality and fiction in an exceptional way. They can be considered effective guides for learning how to write a good story.
Dostoyevsky, Fyodor: A fascinating way of writing. He dissects the human soul with all its virtues and vices. Each line is a pleasure to read and his stories are unusual and surprising.
Eco, Umberto: The Name of the Rose is one of the best novels we have ever read and it was one of the pioneers in the resurgence of the historical novel. History of Beauty is another magnificent book by a great lover of art.
Follet, Ken: Books with over a thousand pages that are difficult to put down are not easy to come by. The stories never lose their excitement and they captivate us until the very end.
García Márquez, Gabriel: A genius in the art of storytelling. His literature is a mix of reality and fantasy, with lush worlds and singular – at times magical – characters who make you accomplices to their actions without you even realizing it.
Gordon, Noah: In reading The Physician you will be fascinated by the way this U.S. author depicts a range of realities. We have recommended this book more times than we can remember and no one has been disappointed. A once-in-a-lifetime historical novel. His other stories demonstrate his mastery at telling a good tale and creating an ideal resolution.
Graves, Robert: The favorite author and the recommended reading of a great friend, we have enjoyed this author’s vast and sublime narrative.
Grisham, John: His first books were surprising for many readers. Great stories for the big screen.
Jacq, Christian: This French writer has done more for our knowledge of ancient Egypt than anyone else in the world. Read a few of his books and you will not be able to stop dreaming about traveling to Egypt to feel its history for yourself.
Lark, Sarah: Her trilogy (In the Land of the Long White Cloud, Song of the Spirits and Call of the Kiwi) is a magnificent gift to the reader. The stories begin with a trip from London to New Zealand by a group of women in 1859. It unfolds in luck for some and misfortune for others. Three great books with an impeccable narrative style.
Lorente, Joaquín: He has written many books full of wisdom, but in Ciudadanos de la tierra.com (Citizens of the Earth.com), he proves himself as an extraordinary storyteller who teaches us that democracy is not lost if we organize ourselves in the face of politicians.
Maalouf, Amin: The Mediterranean in all its essence and expanse. From Lebanon to Italy, his books are a balanced combination of Mediterranean cultures, mixing history with fiction and philosophy. Reading Leo Africanus was just the beginning and was followed by many others.
Mann, Thomas: His narrative is truly unique and extraordinary. Two novels indispensable for anyone looking to inject the virus of the story directly into their veins: The Magic Mountain and Death in Venice.
Mendoza, Eduardo: The Barcelona revealed to us by this author, and to which he transports us, is always different, complex and, at the same time, recognizable. Rapid prose with large doses of humor, twists and jargon, mimicking bureaucratic language. Be prepared for great reading with a permanent smile on your face.
Pla, Josep: Prose that could be described as natural and easy, although many of us would love to be able to write as he does. His books provide an effortless escape and can be reread without tiring of them. He expresses reality as though he were reporting it, with everyday characters and typical situations but always with a touch of irony.
Racionero i Grau, Lluís: Cercamón, a memorable book depicting Catalonia in the year 1000 and in which we find the personalities who have made this country what it is. The surprise is in the ending.
Roberts, Gregory D.: Shantaram, a great discovery of the life of Roberts, who flees to Australia as a fugitive and, after passing through the poorest suburbs of Mumbai, eventually becomes an esteemed merchant, displaying kindness and deliverance to others.
Rulfo, Juan: Pedro Páramo is a unique sort of novel with a structure that exceeds the reader’s expectations. A new chapter in Hispanic literature. An indispensable classic in any reader’s library.
Sales, Joan: Uncertain Glory is a polyphonic novel about love, friendship and war. From the perspective of the vanquished, we tackle youth, love, the cruelty of war, disenchantment and those small moments of happiness and uncertain glory that give the work its title.
Serrano, Marcela: The Chilean novelist who has helped men better understand women. She draws us into her world. Women can particularly identify with this direct, sincere and sociologically learned author.
Shaw, Bernard: Pygmalion, an incredible and surprising story that has been used in all its versions on thousands of occasions. Reread it; the original has no comparison.
Smith, Wilbur: One of the best storytellers we have ever read. All of his family sagas are fascinating, full of action and different landscapes. All his books, including the Egyptian series, are fabulous.
Van der Post, Laurens: For anyone who loves southern Africa, the desert and wild animals, this author is a marvel. Magnificently told stories.
Vargas Llosa, Mario: A structured and rigorous narrative. A master of Latin American literature. His works express reality from different perspectives, with several narrative voices and an ability to catapult us into other worlds from the comfort of our sofa.
Villalonga, Llorenç: Wit, wisdom and culture. Portraits of a decadent society riddled with nuances and contradictions. El misántropo (The Misanthrope) and The Dolls’ Room.
West, Morris: Two books that fascinated an entire generation: The Shoes of the Fisherman and The Devil’s Advocate. He draws us in from the start and manages to maintain our interest through to the last page, intelligently intertwining emotions with historical fiction.