The conspiracy of the conspiranoids

BOOK REVIEW

THE CONSPIRACY OF THE CONSPIRANOIDS

Author: Felipe Benítez Reyes From the reader report by: Michaela Meßner

By La conspiración de los conspiranoicos, Benítez Reyes succeeds with presenting a very entertaining book on the scene of Spanish conspiracy theorists which, towards the end, changes into some serious stock-taking of what threatens our world, without ever leaving the realm of humour. For the author, obviously writing was a cathartic first-line therapy to survive the lockdown in times of Corona and, by help of his humour, to make his readers laugh about something which in reality is not funny at all. […]

The book is characterised by a very funny, ironic language style, short, pointed analyses, then again long multi-clause sentences and the bombastic empty words of the typical discourse among conspiracy theorists, many explaining insertions by the narrator (in brackets or by help of dashes). Gorgeously absurd dialogues, in the context of which the protagonists are presented with much sympathy. […]

This ironic and entertaining satire deserves to be translated into the German language as long as the audience is not going to become weary of the presented topic – but the madness the book is about may not be supposed to come to an end soon.

PUBLISHED IN NEW SPANISH BOOKS DE | FR

RENACIMIENTO LIBRERIA Y EDITORIAL

Title THE CONSPIRACY OF THE CONSPIRANOIDS LA CONSPIRACIÓN DE LOS CONSPIRANOICOS

Author Felipe Benítez Reyes Genre Literature Pages 264

ISBN 978-84-18387-35-7 Year of publication 2021 Number of editions 1 Language Spanish Spanish retail price 19.90 €

Author’s biography: Felipe Benítez Reyes is the author of books including The Fiancé of the World, The Thoughts of Monsters, Chance and Vice Versa and Market of Mirages, which won the Nadal award. His poetry written from 1978 to 2008 is published in the collection Book of Poems, followed by Identities and Shade Already. His first three story collections are published under the title Stellar Endeavours, and he has also published the almanac of stories Every One and the Strange. The catalogue of Renacimiento Publishers also includes the books of essays Wrapping Paper and Box in the Shade, the drama The Wandering Astrologers, the poetry anthology The Shapes of the Moon, and the book of stories Through Pretend Regions. He has won awards including The Spanish National Prize for Literature and the Critics’ Award, and he has translated works by T. S. Eliot, Francis Scott Fitzgerald and Vladimir Nabokov. www.es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felipe_Benítez_Reyes

Synopsis: Benítez Reyes’ new novel sets us in a moving meeting of five conspiracy theorists, in the midst of the pandemic, who allow their theories to run wildly to exotic conclusions, in contradiction of official information which they consider to be flagrant breaches of reality. Following the daily news and a logic far removed from reason, they comment, argue, discuss and pontificate about random scientific, geopolitical and socio-economic topics. A novel based on facts so real they seem pure fanstasy; a story that make you laugh out loud with its arbitrary associations. A hilarious and shattering satire on alternative thinking.

Publisher: Editorial Renacimiento Independent publishing house founded on the conviction that all great stories are classic and modern, regardless of their origins. Our catalogue aims to represent a transversal reflection of authors and genres that helps us to understand our times.

Publishing rights available from: Libreria y Editorial Renacimiento, S.A. - CIF A41963505 Buganvilla, 1. Pol. Navexpo, Valencina de la Concepción, Sevilla www.editorialrenacimiento.com Contact: Abelardo Linares [editorial@editorialrenacimiento.com] Phone: (+34) 955 998 232

Reviews and prizes: www.elmundo.es/cultura literatura/2021/01/06/5ff44a3721efa0644d8b463a. html, www.canalsur.es/multimedia.html?id=1669178

Comments: Felipe Benítez Reyes is one of the greatest names in contemporary Spanish literature.