Description
THE EXPERIENCE
Book summary
Sergi Puertas offers an unusual and overwhelming autobiographical exercise that strips bare the inner workings of the publishing industry. Faced with the silence of publishers, the author infiltrates the literary world under the pseudonym of a twenty-five-year-old woman. This farce, narrated in a feigned voice, becomes a harrowing testimony of corruption, while the author fights to maintain his sanity in an occupational training center. An unclassifiable work that combines social criticism, black humor, and a profound reflection on identity and fraud.
What is it about?
The work begins in 2016 with a premise as bold as it is revealing: faced with the total lack of response from Spanish publishers, writer Sergi Puertas decides to send them his new book of short stories under a female pseudonym and the photo of a twenty-five-year-old girl. From there, a profuse correspondence unfolds, forcing the author to maintain an increasingly complex imposture, using a young girl's voice that will land him in serious trouble. In parallel, the narrative delves into his daily life, where he must teach eleven hours of classes a day at an occupational training center marked by corruption. The plot thus weaves together two farces: that of literary circles and that of official offices, bank branches, and classrooms of the scammed, offering a stark portrait of a society where fiction and reality become blurred.
Main themes
- Systemic corruption in the publishing industry and educational institutions.
- Imposture as a strategy for survival and social criticism.
- The construction and fragility of identity in a world of appearances.
- The failure of the educational and labor system in contemporary Spain.
- The creator's struggle to maintain sanity and authenticity in a hostile environment.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in contemporary narrative that breaks the mold, with a strong autobiographical and critical component. It is ideal for those seeking an uncomfortable and lucid read about the mechanisms of power and hypocrisy, as well as for those who appreciate black humor and formal experimentation. It will also be of great interest to professionals in the publishing, education, and cultural sectors, as well as anyone who has felt the frustration of not being heard in a corrupt system.
What this book contributes
- A unique and stark look at the inner workings of the Spanish publishing industry.
- A courageous autobiographical testimony that exposes the fragility of the educational and labor system.
- A deep reflection on identity, imposture, and authenticity in the age of communication.
- An unclassifiable reading experience that combines social denunciation, humor, and narrative tension.
- A scathing critique of corruption and the power structures that perpetuate fraud.
Technical specifications
- Author: PUERTAS, SERGI
- Publisher: EDITORIAL PEZ DE PLATA,S.L
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: NARRATIVA PEZ DE PLATA
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2022
- Number of pages: 304
- Weight: 542 g
Editorial review
This is a brave and necessary work that transcends a mere autobiographical exercise to become a plea against corruption and hypocrisy. The narrative proposal, risky and original, keeps the reader on edge while unmasking the mechanisms of power. Its main value lies in the rawness and honesty with which it addresses uncomfortable topics, offering a unique perspective that will undoubtedly generate debate. Recommended for readers looking for committed, uncompromising literature capable of stirring consciences.