Photography: courtesy of the author.
Maria Perez Heredia was born in Zaragoza in 1994 and has become one of the latest literary phenomena thanks to his third novel, Black Pyrenees, which is also his debut in the noir genre. He studied Spanish philology and published his first book, Those rare rainy days at nineteen years old. After that they have continued Starman, which had an exceptional reception from critics, and the youth story Eydís and the long winter (illustrated by David Guirao). He has also written various collaborations, short stories and articles of literary criticism. He went to live in France in 2017, where she has worked at the University of Grenoble as a professor of Spanish literature. In this interview He talk to us about Black Pyrenees and many other topics. I appreciate your time and kindness.
Maria Perez Heredia — Interview
LITERATURE CURRENT: Your latest novel is Black Pyrenees. What do you tell us in it and where did your inspiration come from?
MARIA PEREZ HEREDIA: Black Pyrenees is a intrigue story with many twists and some surprises, in which a strong female protagonist has to face the past and some of its ghosts. The setting is in a small town in the Aragonese Pyrenees It is very important, and it mainly explores the human relations. Inspiration came to me from many sources, but mostly because I am a Big fan of suspense films Since I was a child.
- AL: Can you remember any of your first readings? And the first thing you wrote?
MPH: My first readings, like those of almost everyone millennials, are books like those of Harry Potter. Afterwards, I have always been a voracious reader And from a very young age. I have been writing all my life, at least as far back as I can remember. In fact, I published my first novel when I was nineteen, and I started writing it when I was seventeen…
- AL: A leading author? You can choose more than one and from all periods.
MPH: I have many. Donna tartt y Bret Easton Ellis, which they do not do thriller exactly but they always include very disturbing elements in their novels. As a crime novelist, Gillian flynn. From other times, Francis Scott Fitzgerald o Charlotte brönte. And Spanish, Juan Marse, of course. Of a completely different genre, Eichiro Oda or Ai Yazawa.
- AL: What character would you have liked to meet and create?
MPH: There are just too many of them. Preppy de Latest afternoons with Teresa, Patrick Bateman, de American Psycho, o Theo de The goldfinch. Either of the two Nanas.
- AL: Any special habits or habits when it comes to writing or reading?
MPH: Well, none. If I am I read entire books on my cell phoneI like to have the TV on in the background while I write and I like coffee.
- AL: And your preferred place and time to do it?
MPH: To read, anyone: on the subway, on the couch, if it's on paper in the morning. To write, in the evening. At my house or anywhere.
- AL: What other genres do you like?
MPH: Too many. Romantic novels, especially if they are period pieces. Fantasy novels. Science fiction. I don't make gender distinctions, it depends on the author and the book.There can be a very well-written romance novel and a “literary” one that is a complete disaster (and also boring).
- AL: What are you reading now? And writing?
MPH: Well, I've been reading a lot recently. Elisabeth Benavent (in summer), I've been catching up on manga one piece and I have continued my obsession with Gradi Hendrix. As for writing, I just handed in my next novel.
- AL: How do you think the publishing scene is?
MPH: I have a very partial view, because I have been working with my editor for years and we have a great relationship. I have never had any problems postingAnd besides, I've been living in France for eight years, so I don't really know much about the rumours in the industry.
- AL: How do you feel about the current moment we live in?
MPH: With everything that's going on, how I can.