Miguel Ángel Hernández is a Spanish writer and professor of art history at the University of Murcia. He is the author of several novels and books on contemporary art and visual culture. His novels include Intento de escapada (2013), winner of the Ciudad de Alcalá Prize, and El instante de peligro (2015), finalist for the Herralde Prize. His work has been translated into several languages. His book The Pain of Others, which will be published in English by Other Press on April 14, was selected as a Book of the Year by El País and The New York Times en Español and is currently being adapted for film. His novel Anoxia was also published in English by Other Press.
Quick note: Miguel Ángel and I recorded this episode last year, specifically in June 2025. (It has been sitting on the shelf for a while, I know.) We spend much of the episode talking about the scandal surrounding Luisgé Martín’s novel El odio. Though we provide a summary of the scandal in the episode, you can read a slightly more detailed account in English from the Catalan newspaper Ara. No new information in the saga has come to light since our recording.
Here’s a list of books and other things we talk about in the episode:
Luisgé Martín, Cien noches
Luisgé Martín, La mujer de sombra (trans. Woman in Darkness)
Emmanuel Carrère, The Adversary
Truman Capote, In Cold Blood
Karl Ove Knausgård, My Struggle
Miguel Ángel Hernández, The Pain of Others
Héctor Abad Faciolince, El olvido que seremos
Miguel Ángel Hernández, El don de la siesta
Gabriel García Márquez, “La siesta del martes” (trans. “Tuesday Siesta”)
Jonathan Crary, 24/7: Late Capitalism and the Ends of Sleep
A very special thanks to my friend and colleague Kyle Stine, who made this podcast episode possible.
For anyone in the DMV area, Miguel Ángel and I will be in conversation about his newly translated book, The Pain of Others, which is a truly original, captivating, and affecting blend of true crime and autofiction. We’ll be speaking at Bird in Hand (11 E. 33rd St. in Baltimore) on Saturday, April 25 at 6 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. Please spread the word!
