2 minute read
The violet guy
BOOK REVIEW
THE VIOLET GUY
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Author: J. Sepúlveda | M. Cochet | A. Mercero From the reader report by: Adan Griego
As a fictionalized account, the novel skillfully weaves a text highlighting a little known part of Spanish history, from interrogation rooms, to sexual violence in jails and harsh conditions at forced labor camps. “We are imprisoned for being who we are,” says one of the men. In an interview for Spanish television one of the authors commented on how police reports from the period provided the horrifying details that he integrated into the novel.
Translating El violeta would bring a rich text to teach not only Spanish post-war history but also global LGBTQ history. Dynamic instructors looking for tools that can bring history to life have an engaging narrative in El violeta. Hopefully this graphic novel will be available in English translation very soon.
PUBLISHED IN NEW SPANISH BOOKS BR | US
DRAKUL EDITORIAL
Title THE VIOLET GUY EL VIOLETA
Author J. Sepúlveda | M. Cochet | A. Mercero Year of publication 2019 Genre Comic Number of editions 2 Pages 104 Language Spanish
ISBN 978-84949-237-39 Spanish retail price 21.95 €
Author’s biography: Juan Sepúlveda Sanchis (Valencia, 1982) works as a screenwriter and computer engineer. The Violet Guy is his first graphic novel. He is the author of The Six Faces of a Dice, the short film Lily Polanski, and, more recently, Diary of a Spaniard Around the World, the first in a series of travel diary comics. Marina Cochet (Aix-en-Provence, France, 1981). Illustrator and engraver with a degree in Fine Arts from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. The Violet Guy is her first professional foray into the graphic novel. Antonio Mercero (Madrid, 1969) is a film and television screenwriter, a profession that he combines with writing literature. The End of Man (Alfaguara) is his latest novel.
Synopsis: Valencia, 1955. Bruno falls into a trap set by the police at the Ruzafa movie theater to arrest homosexuals under the umbrella of the social danger law. He goes to jail at only eighteen years of age, and the pressure of his family forces him to make decisions that will mark the rest of his life. The Violet Guy is a graphic novel about the persecution suffered by homosexuals during the Franco regime, as well as their relationship with the women who married them. A story that brings to light the concentration camps for homosexuals created by the Franco regime, which are being forgotten by history.
Publisher: Editorial Drakul Created in 2006, Editorial Drakul is an independent, privately-owned company dedicated mainly to the publication of novels and comics, although it also publishes children’s literature. In Spain, it is known mainly for publishing Star Trek comics under the Likantro label starting in 2009.
Publishing rights available from: Editorial Drakul, S.L. - CIF B84782630 Santa Gema 3, 2ºA - 28944. Fuenlabrada, Madrid www.drakul.es Contact: Javier Ortiz [editorial@drakul.es] Phone: (+34) 686 105 012
Prizes and reviews: The artist was nominated for her work in this book at the 2019 Valencia Heroes ComicCon. https://elpais.com/politica/2018/12/20/diario_de_espana/1545320992_491713.html
Comments: The first edition sold out in under a month. This is one of the best-selling books by this publisher, even ahead of the sales of franchises such as Star Trek.
