In the current literary landscape, few authors manage to move and connect with their readers as deeply as Alejandro Palomas. With a unique sensitivity and an enveloping narrative, Palomas gifts us works that not only tell stories but also explore the most intimate corners of our emotions. His book EL DÍA QUE MI HERMANA QUISO VOLAR (The Day My Sister Decided to Fly) is a clear example of this—a tribute to the fraternal bond and the loss of it.
When Alejandro told me he wanted to write this novel I thought he was the perfect person to do so, and I think the results have been better than I could have ever expected. So I know that all the readers of his remarkable novel UN HIJO will read this one and fall at the feet of this author and his world, so unique and special.
In EL DÍA QUE MI HERMANA QUISO VOLAR Alejandro Palomas poses a question for us: when a twin loses their sibling, do they remain a twin, or are they given another name?
This is the first question that invades Elio after the tragic death of Eva, his twin sister, his inseparable accomplice, and the person closest to him. Eva—always so brilliant, curious, demanding, and intolerant of injustices—has fallen from the top of a rooftop. Her absence leaves Elio immersed in profound questions: Who is he now without her? What meaning does life hold for Mónica, his mother, who was already emotionally distant from Eva due to the inevitable conflicts of adolescence? What role will Mateo, Elio’s psychiatrist, play as he accompanies him through his grief while they attempt to determine whether Eva’s death was an accident or something more intentional?
Elio doesn’t know if there’s a word for someone who has lost their twin, but what he does know is that Eva is no longer here. She has “flown”, something she always dreamed of. Now, he must make crucial decisions: how to tell the story of what happened to his sister and what path to choose to rebuild his own life.
The book not only stands out for its ability to touch the reader’s soul but also for its narrative style, where the everyday becomes poetry. Every page serves as a reminder of the importance of family bonds and the journey of overcoming loss.
With a solid career, Alejandro Palomas is considered one of the great figures of contemporary Spanish-language literature. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards, such as the 2016 National Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature for UN HIJO and the 2018 Nadal Prize for UN AMOR. Over the years, Palomas has built a unique literary universe where family bonds, love, and human emotions are the undeniable protagonists.
His ability to connect with readers of all ages has led him to explore diverse genres, from children’s literature to novels aimed at adult audiences, always with his distinctive style: a profound sense of humanity.
But the stories of the author are not confined to the pages of his books. Recently, the production of a feature film based on his novel UN HIJO was announced—the book that has already moved thousands of readers and has been translated into 22 languages. Now, it promises to reach an even larger audience. This exciting cinematic project is yet another testament to the impact of his work and his ability to tell universal stories that transcend borders.
EL DÍA QUE MI HERMANA QUISO VOLAR is not only a Book, but an experience. If you haven’t had the chance to discover this literary gem, now is the time. And if you’re already a follower of Alejandro Palomas, this title will reaffirm why his work is a must-have in any library.
