AUTHOR: Eliacer Cansino
PUBLISHER: Editorial Bruño
GENRE: Ficción histórica
READER’S NAME: Teresa Mlawer
DATE: Junio 14, 2013

Diego Velázquez was one of the greatest artists in the world, and his painting Las Meninas, is perhaps his finest masterpiece. Las Meninas is an enigmatic painting that has caught the attention of many scholars and artists.  This novel is centered on this painting.

In this extraordinary novel, the story is narrated by Nicolás Pertusano. “Nicolasillo”, as he was known, was one of the dwarfs who lived in the palace at the service of the King.

In the first part of the book, “La luz de Madrid,” Nicolás narrates his own story: he was born in Italy; his mother died in childbirth. He tells us about how he learned to deal with being a dwarf, the mocking from strangers and friends, and finally, the painful rejection of his own father, who, not being able to cope with the situation, turns him over to a Noble from the Spanish Court, so that he could serve in the King’s Palace. Later on, he is transferred to the quarters of Diego Velázquez to work as a servant for him.

In the second part of the book, “Una oscura presencia,” Nicolás weaves a mystery tale about the paintingLas Meninas, for the reader to draw his own conclusion.

The third and final part of the book, “Una cruz para el diablo,” revolves around the death of Diego Velazquez, and the mystery surrounding his final days and his obsession with this painting.

This novel was awarded the “Premio Lazarillo” in 1997, a well-deserved award for the extraordinary literary value of this work.

About the Author:
Eliacer Cansino studied philosophy in Seville and in Salamanca.  Since 1980, he has taught philosophy to high school students.  He was also awarded the Premio Nacional de Literatura Juvenil de España in 2010, the most prestigious award given by the Ministry of Culture of Spain.

El misterio Velázquez was selected, by the Fundación Germán Sánchez Ruiperez as one of the best 100 books of the Twentieth Century.

El misterio Velázquez has been translated and published in France, Germany, and Japan.