Spain A Portrait After the General

Two themes are combined in this book. One is a personal tale chronicling the author’s discovery of Spain, of the pull it held over him and the reasons why he returned time and again, often to act out the most potent and vivid moments of his life. It also tells of Spain’s journey as it emerged from the shroud of Francoism to its position now as perhaps the most dynamic and charismatic country in Europe.

After forty frozen years Franco died, Spain came to life and Robert Elms fell in love. A Potrait After the General tells the story of an affair between a writer and a country, and paints an exuberant portrait of a people who have transformed themselves in a blur of liberalism and hedonism into the great success story of Europe.

From Barcelona to Madrid, Galicia to Seville, Elms shows us how to enjoy the best of this old, this proud, this coming country. He introduces us to all the liveliest clubs, bars, and restaurants, and also to some of the stars of the new Spain. We talk toros with the top matador, examine the extraordinary phenomenon of Hola, discuss aesthetics with the cult designer Mariscal, enjoy a drink with the Eurocriminals of Ibiza, and have an audience with film actress Rossy de Palma.

Both stylish and informative, A Portrait After the General is not only essential reading for all Hispanophiles, but also the perfect guide for anyone who is about to discover Spain for the first time.

Robert Elms is one of Britain’s most prominent travel journalists. He presents Channel 4’s travel series, Travelog, and he is a regular contributor to the travel pages of the Sunday Times, The Times and Arena.