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María Laura Espido Freire

マリア・ラウラ・エスピド・フレイレ

María Laura Espido Freire

Pen Names: Espido Freire（Uses her surnames as a pen name）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1974-07-16 （Bilbao, Spain）
Nationality
Spain
Languages
Spanish, English

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Writer, Translator, Creative writing teacher
Active Years
1998-

Education

University of Deusto
English Philology
Degree: 学士（英語フィロロジー）
Period: 1992–1996
Year of Graduation: 1996
Country: Spain
Also studied for a master's degree in editing

Awards

Premio Planeta
1999
Work: Melocotones helados
Organization: Editorial Planeta
Result: Winner
Premio Ateneo de Sevilla
2007
Work: Soria Moria
Organization: Ateneo de Sevilla
Result: Winner
Millepage Prize
2000
Work: Irlanda (French translation)
Organization: Millepage (France)
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Irlanda

1998 Novel

Tells the coming-of-age story of Natalia, a fifteen-year-old girl with a vivid imagination, dealing with the recent death of one sister and family loss.

Coming of ageGriefImagination
Translations
  • Irlanda, translated into English (Fairy Tale Review Press, 2011). ISBN 9780979995446

Melocotones helados

1999 Novel

Published in 1999 and winner of the Premio Planeta; a novel that explores family and memory.

FamilyMemory

Donde siempre es octubre

1999 Novel

Published in 1999; a work that thematically deals with autumn and lost time.

SeasonalityLoss

Diabulus in musica

2001 Novel

Published in 2001; a novel combining musical elements with psychological portraiture.

MusicPsychology

Nos espera la noche

2003 Novel

Published in 2003; a novel that explores human relationships through motifs of night and darkness.

RelationshipsNight

La diosa del pubis azul

2005 Novel

Published in 2005; a work that includes collaborative elements with Raúl del Pozo.

CollaborationCulture

Soria Moria

2007 Novel

Published in 2007; winner of the Premio Ateneo de Sevilla, containing elements of travel and self-discovery.

TravelSelf-discovery

Hijos del fin del mundo: De Roncesvalles a Finisterre

2009 Travelogue

A travelogue following pilgrimage routes; winner of the IV Premio Llanes de Viajes.

PilgrimageNature

La flor del Norte

2011 Novel

A 2011 novel notable for its portrayals of relationships and landscapes.

RelationshipsLandscape

Quería volar

2014 Novel

Published in 2014; deals with motifs of freedom and flight.

FreedomHope

Para vos nací

2015 Novel

Published in 2015; a work centered on themes of love and devotion.

LoveDevotion

Bibliography

  • Irlanda (1998)
  • Donde siempre es octubre (1999)
  • Melocotones helados (1999)
  • Diabulus in musica (2001)
  • Nos espera la noche (2003)
  • La diosa del pubis azul (2005)
  • Soria Moria (2007)
  • Hijos del fin del mundo: De Roncesvalles a Finisterre (2009)
  • La flor del Norte (2011)
  • Quería volar (2014)
  • Para vos nací (2015)

Translations of Works

  • Irlanda (English translation, Fairy Tale Review Press, 2011)
  • Irlanda (French translation, awarded Millepage Prize)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Lyricism with delicate psychological portraitureA prose with musical rhythmImage-driven description
Recurring Motifs
Loss and renewalFamily bondsNature and landscape

Legacy

Gained attention as the youngest winner of the Premio Planeta; her works have been translated into many languages. Active in creative writing education and animal protection advocacy.

Trivia

  • Won the Premio Planeta in 1999 for 'Melocotones helados', becoming the youngest writer to receive the prize.
  • Has a background in studying and performing classical music.
  • Studied English philology and also pursued graduate studies in editing.
  • Actively involved in animal rights and protection activities.