WEST END
JOSÉ MORELLA
A lesson in humanity, as real and desperate as life itself.
Inspired by his childhood memories of Ibiza’s West End in the 1970s and 80s, on a corner of the island inhabited by working families emigrated from Andalusia, hippies from around the world, and tourists looking to party, José Morella reconstructs the difficult life of his grandfather, Nicomedes, who suffered from mental illness. Morella delves into his family’s history and the combination of fear, lack of understanding, and shame that led them to build a wall of isolation around his grandfather.
With a heterogeneous mix of genres, from his own family stories and autofiction to essay, Morella offers an energetic and electrifying lesson in humanity and compassion. Drawing on testimony, personal experience, nods and references from throughout the cultural spectrum, this book is an unforgettable read.
A lesson in humanity, as moving as Awakenings by Oliver Sacks, as real and desperate as life itself.
Winner of the 2019 Café Gijón Novel Prize
Published in Spain: Siruela, 2020
José Morella (Ibiza, Spain, 1972) holds a degree in literature theory and comparative literature. He entered his novel Asuntos propios for the Premio Herralde, and although it did not win, the judging panel gave such a positive assessment of the work that it was published by Anagrama. His novel Como caminos en la niebla, explores the wild and rebellious life of the psychiatrist, anarchist and hippie avant la lettre, Otto Gros. West End was awarded the 2019 Café Gijón Novel Prize. José Morella lives in Barcelona.