He published his first novel, "Pax romana," in 2011; now the sequel, "Pan y circo" is re-edited by Editorial Pàmies.

After a decade married to a medical examiner, Balbás has developed a disturbingly optimistic narrative tone. He has been an entrepreneur, video game developer, consultant for historic films, translator, and screenwriter. He lives in Santander.

The novel addresses issues such as the control of public opinion and the role of the entertainment industry in hiding reality.

TL:  It seems that the control of the plebs goes back many years... Just like now?

YB: The plebs and the intellectual elites. “Pan y circo” is a thriller, with the background theme being the role played by art, entertainment, and culture as tools in the service of power. This means that popular attention is used to distract the public from the real problems that affect them, and also that political power must control artists and intellectuals with perks. This is not something that those of us who today dedicate ourselves to writing books are happy to recognize..., although it is real.

Continue with the interview here