‘Juan Gabriel Vásquez is one of the most original new voices of Latin American literature’ says Mario Vargas Llosa. Vásquez’ novel, The Sound of Things Falling, won the 2011 Alfaguara Prize, one of the most prestigious Spanish literary awards. His first novel to be translated into English, The Informers, was shortlisted for the UK’s Independent Foreign Fiction Prize.

Born in Bogotá, Vásquez studied Latin American literature at the Sorbonne University and now lives in Barcelona. His most recent novel appearing in English, The Secret History of Costaguana, is a tragic, comic, insightful adventurous family saga set in 19th and early 20th century Colombia. Juan was joined in conversation by Finlay Macdonald.