AUTHOR: Ignacio Peyró
PUBLISHER: Libros del Asteroide
GENRE: No fiction, memoir
READER’S NAME: Kenneth Barger
DATE: June 1, 2022

Ignacio Peyró is a journalist, author, and translator who has written on politics and culture in Spain and Europe and drafted speeches for prominent Spanish political figures. Ya sentarás cabeza is a memoir that recounts his experiences from 2006 to 2011, years in which his career in journalism took form and evolved. The book follows his trajectory from a young, unknown novice scrambling for assignments to a renowned reporter and pundit.

The book takes the form of a diary, with entries ranging in length from a single line to several pages, dealing with practically every aspect of life, with special attention to politics, cuisine, drink, and literature. Rather than chapters, the book is divided into years, which creates a sort of chronological order and plotline, to the extent that a person’s life can be described as a plotline. One entry does not transition to the next, however; rather, they are vignettes on events, portraits of people or places, or reflections on youth, the passage of time, friendship, or love.

Peyró remembers a schoolmate who was bullied at school: “Forgive us, Julián, for we knew exactly what we were doing.” He reflects on the financial crash of 2008: “I can’t help but think about how many times we’ve killed off capitalism.” He meditates on conservatism: “One does not become a conservative to make the world a better place, but out of fear of seeing it ruined.” He writes of these things, sometimes with cynicism, sometimes with enthusiasm, sometimes with melancholy, sometimes with joy, and always with impeccable, innovative prose and magnificent Spanish, peppered with foreign expressions here and there. His voice and his observations evolve as the years pass, and the reader witnesses the maturing of an already keen intellect.

As noted above, the politics and literature he writes about are mostly Spanish or European, which may or may not resonate with a US audience. The people, places, events, and phenomena he describes are certainly significant to the Spanish reader, but likely less so for the US reader. Seldom have I read a work so steeped in the culture and language of a place, which may be a blessing and a curse. The right target audience will love it; the wrong one will find it opaque.

And yet, I have given the book a 10. It is clearly a 10: it’s brilliantly written and incisive, it’s at turns poignant and funny, and it offers an insider’s perspective on a fascinating world. A European policy wonk, an avid reader of Spanish literature, or even a foodie who loves European cuisine would likely find it a delightful read. But is there a broad audience for this book in the US? There might be, but there might not.

This is a magnificent work by an observant mind, a volume full of insights, critique, and personality. This book, and other works by Peyró, have been praised by critics in Europe and devoured by Spanish audiences. And yet it is hard to say that Ya sentarás cabeza would travel well in the US market.