Blanca Riestra’s (2020) is a vividly atmospheric novel that captures the swan song of Tangier’s International Zone.
The novel was awarded the prestigious in 2020 for its hallucinatory and deeply researched portrayal of this historical turning point. Últimas noches del edificio San Francisco - Blanca Riestra Ultimas noches del edificio San - Blanca Riestr...
: Tangier is the true protagonist. Riestra contrasts the "grey Spain" of the Franco era with the vibrant, hedonistic, and often exploitative world of the International Zone, where everything was permitted. Blanca Riestra’s (2020) is a vividly atmospheric novel
Set in 1957, the story portrays the city as a "sick flower"—a decadent paradise for bohemian expats, writers, and artists who realize their era of lawless privilege is ending as Morocco nears independence. Key Themes and Elements Riestra contrasts the "grey Spain" of the Franco
: The narrative weaves together fictional characters with real-life icons who haunted Tangier, including William Burroughs (writing Naked Lunch ), Paul and Jane Bowles , and Francis Bacon .
: Beyond the glamor, the book critiques the stark divide between the wealthy foreigners and the local Moroccans they often "squeezed" or ignored, highlighting the inherent oppression of the colonial structure. Recognition
: A central figure inspired by author Carmen Laforet , she arrives in Tangier seeking an escape from her marriage and the stifling atmosphere of Spain, only to find a city on the brink of total transformation.