The novel Las culpas del aire, published by Pábilo Editorial, immerses the reader in a plot where crime and punishment intertwine, evoking the essence of the Orestíada. The book's cover, illustrated with a drawing by John Singer Sargent, depicts the Furies pursuing Orestes, a clear nod to the author's mythological inspiration.
During the presentation at the Círculo Mercantil, Granado, originally from Nerva (Huelva) and born in 1957, discussed with Carmen Ramos the deep connection a writer establishes with their characters. The author, known for his historical novels such as El complot Canalejas (Ciudad de Salamanca Award) and A la sombra de Jonás Mom (Ciudad de Ceuta Award), describes Las culpas del aire as his first foray into a novel of inner thought, moving away from the historical genre, with a concise plot and rich psychological exploration.
“"Literary fiction is like a pagan miracle that can elevate an abortion of nature like our character to the heroic category of Orestes."
Granado's narrative transports the epic of Agamemnon's return from the Trojan War and the revenge of Orestes and Electra to an April Fair booth. In this setting of lanterns, sevillanas, and manzanilla, the author places a nameless character, embodying the sum of multiple identities and reflections, in an environment of waiting and despair. The story unfolds near Heliópolis, in the Elcano neighborhood, highlighting the expressive richness of everyday environments.
The author also referenced the influence of figures such as Castilla del Pino, Unamuno, Machado, and Saramago in his work. The novel addresses themes such as guilt and justice, imagining a trial convened by Pallas Athena that gives rise to Justice. Granado emphasizes that, although his character appears indifferent to global conflicts, he himself is not, and uses mordancy as a means to drain unease in the face of 21st-century reality.
