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Francesc Miralles Contijoch

フランセスク・ミラレス・コンティホ

Francesc Miralles Contijoch

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1968-08-27 （Barcelona, Spain）
Nationality
Spain
Languages
Catalan, Spanish, English
Residence History
Barcelona, Spain → Croatia (residence) → Slovenia (residence) → India (travel/residence)

Career

Occupations
writer, essayist, translator, musician, journalist, editor
Active Years
1990-
Influenced By
Jiddu Krishnamurti, Ramana Maharshi

Education

Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)
Faculty of Journalism
Country: Spain
Enrolled but dropped out after a short period
University of Barcelona
Faculty of German Studies
Degree: 学位取得（ドイツ語）
Country: Spain
Completed a degree in German and later postgraduate studies in editorial/publishing
Postgraduate course in Editorial Studies
Country: Spain
Postgraduate study aimed at a career in publishing

Awards

Gran Angular Prize
2002
Work: A Haiku for Alice
Organization: Award associated with the Gran Angular collection/publisher
Result: 受賞
Columna Jove Prize
2007
Work: Interrail
Organization: Columna (publisher)
Result: 受賞
Torrevieja Prize
2009
Work: La última respuesta (co-authored with Álex Rovira)
Organization: Torrevieja prize committee/organization
Result: 受賞（共著）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

2016 Non-fiction / Self-help

Introduces the Japanese concept of 'ikigai' and explores habits and philosophies for a long and happy life. Co-authored with Héctor García Puigcerver.

ikigaihappinessJapanese culture
Translations
  • Translated into over 70 languages (including a Japanese edition)

Love in Lower-Case Letters

2006 Novel (adult)

A love story that explores the beauty of imperfection and the ephemeral. Followed by a thematic sequel titled 'Wabi-Sabi'.

loveephemeralityimperfection (wabi-sabi)
Translations
  • Translated into over 20 languages

Barcelona Blues

2004 Novel (adult)

A novel inspired by the author's experiences working in the publishing industry, reflecting incidents from his time as an editor.

publishing industryurban lifeself-exploration

Retrum

2009 Young adult / Gothic

A young-adult novel with Gothic overtones. Features elements and groups that connect to the later 'Øbliviøn' trilogy.

gothiccoming-of-agemystery
Translations
  • Translated into eight languages

Bibliography

  • Lost in Bombay
  • A Haiku for Alice
  • The Dream of the West
  • Balkan Café
  • Jet Lag
  • Barcelona Blues
  • Love in Lower-Case Letters
  • Interrail
  • Indigo's Journey
  • The Fourth Kingdom
  • The 2013 Prophecy
  • Wish You Were Here
  • Retrum
  • The Legacy of Judas (co-written with Joan Bruna)
  • Pulsaciones
  • Romantic Barcelona
  • Incredible Barcelona
  • Self-Help Uncovered
  • Conversations about Happiness
  • The Labyrinth of Happiness (co-authored with Álex Rovira)

Translations by Author

  • Young-adult fiction by Henning Mankell (translated into Catalan)

Translations of Works

  • Ikigai Japanese edition and many other language editions
  • Love in Lower-Case Letters translated into over 20 languages

Style & Themes

Literary Style
introspective and sentimental proseblend of self-help and narrativeconcise and accessible style
Recurring Motifs
travel and pilgrimagespirituality and Eastern thoughturban Barcelona settingsmusic and performance

Legacy

Francesc Miralles is a prolific author who moves between fiction and self-help. His book 'Ikigai' became an international bestseller and influenced popular self-help discourse. He has a wide-ranging career including young-adult fiction, adult novels, translation work, and musical activity.

In Popular Culture

  • 'Ikigai' is widely cited in the self-help field and frequently referenced in talks and media.

Trivia

  • Worked as a waiter in his youth and learned to play piano while working in a bar.
  • Lived in Croatia and Slovenia during the Balkan Wars; those experiences inspired later work.
  • Reportedly wrote many pieces under a pseudonym during his time working as an editor.