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Archipelago Books presents a reading by Basque author Unai Elorriaga and English translator Amaia Gabantxo from Mr. Elorriaga’s latest novel, Plants Don’t Drink Coffee.

Unai Elorriaga won the prestigious Spanish Premio National de Narrativa in 2002 for his first novel, Sprako Tranbia (A tram to SP). He is also the author of the novel Van’t Hoffen ilea (Van’t Hoff’s Hair) and numerous anthologiezed short stories. He is a professor and translator at the Instituto Labairu de Bilbao.

Amaia Gabantxo is a literary translator, writer, and reviewer. Her work has appeared in many journals and newspapers, including the Times Literary Supplement and The Independent. Her translation of Anjel Lertxundi’s Perfect Happiness was realeased by the University of Nevada Press in 2007. She moonlights as a flamenco singer.

Plants Don’t Drink Coffee
Four stories narrated from four different perspectives criss-cross throughout this powerful and lighthearted novel. The young Tomas—who wants above all else to be intelligent—draws us into the web of his curious mind, magnifying misdventures and stumbling upon all sorts of small wonders. Through an omniscient narrative, we learn all about his eccentric entourage, from their surrealist creation of a rugby field on a golf course, the mystery of why a couple of forty years never married, and the intrigue surrounding his grandfather’s role in a European carpentry competition.

“Short sentences, measured words, dialogues pregnant with silences, letters...all can be found in this lively narrative. It is the characters, the stories, and above all, the transparency and gracefulness of the child’s outlook that add freshness and strength to Elorriaga’s latest book."—Berria

Archipelago Books is a not-for-profit press devoted to publishing excellent translations of classic and contemporary world literature. In five years, they have brought out over fifty books from over twenty languages, allowing innovative literary voices from all corners of the world to be heard in the U.S.