Description
After Saying Goodbye. Unpublished Pepe Rubianes
Book Summary
This book is an intimate and personal journey to the origins of the unforgettable actor and comedian Pepe Rubianes. Through his own words, the reader will discover memories of his childhood in the family boarding house in Barcelona, the influence of his sailor father and his mother Loliña, and the early experiences that forged his character and his art. More than a standard biography, it is a vital testimony that covers everything from his escapades through the Somorrostro neighborhood to his travels to Cuba and Africa, offering a unique and sincere look at the man behind the stage persona.
What is it about?
The work is presented as an unpublished autobiographical account that reconstructs the life of Pepe Rubianes from his earliest childhood. It begins with the figure of his father, a sailor who passed on to him a love for stories and the sea, although fate would lead him to the Mediterranean instead of the Atlantic. The book details his upbringing at the Rubí Prat boarding house, an improvised stage where he began to develop his comedic flair, and his youth in the Somorrostro neighborhood, where flamenco and the departure of transatlantic ships full of dreams shaped his imagination.
The story progresses by narrating his training, from the teachings of his uncle Lelo—a magician and bohemian—to his discovery of the poetry of the Generation of '27 and his rebellion against Francoist indoctrination. After being academically dismissed by a teacher, Rubianes turned to the stage, working with the Teatro de la ONCE, TUC, and Dagoll Dagom. The book culminates in his decision to break away from everything at age twenty-five to travel to Cuba and Colombia, where he achieved his first major success with the show Pay-Pay. Finally, it explores his continuous travels to Africa and his nomadic life, which becomes a metaphor for his existence, until the end of his days.
Main themes
- Autobiography and personal testimony as a literary genre.
- The origins of humor and artistic creation in postwar Barcelona.
- The influence of family, environment, and bohemian life on the formation of an artist.
- Travel and the exploration of new cultures (Cuba, Africa) as a vital and creative engine.
- Rebellion against social and academic impositions.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at fans of Pepe Rubianes who wish to learn about the most personal and lesser-known side of the comedian. It will also interest lovers of biographies and artist memoirs, as well as those readers looking for an honest and unfiltered portrait of an era and an irreplaceable figure of the Spanish stage. It is essential reading for those who want to understand the roots of a unique comedic style.
What this book offers
- Privileged access to the unpublished memoirs of Pepe Rubianes himself, told in the first person.
- A deep understanding of the experiences that shaped his personality and his comedic work.
- A vivid and nostalgic portrait of mid-20th-century Barcelona.
- A reflection on the importance of travel and freedom as sources of inspiration.
Technical sheet
- Author: Rubianes Alegret, Pepe
- Publisher: Editorial Alrevés
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Diaries, letters and journals, Poetry by individual poets, Modern and contemporary fiction, Humor collections and anthologies
- Collection: NARRATIVE
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: January 2015
- Number of pages: 200
- Weight: 212 g
Editorial review
Después de despedirme is a valuable document for understanding the personal universe of one of the most charismatic and transgressive comedians in our country. The work stands out for its sincere and evocative tone, moving away from conventional biography to offer a fragmented and vitalistic account. For readers interested in the figure of Rubianes, this book represents a unique opportunity to hear his voice beyond the stage, discovering the life experiences that fueled his comedic genius. It is, without a doubt, a read that will enrich the perception of his artistic legacy.