Voices en Español

It’s the dream of many Anglos: To work, study or live (either temporarily or permanently) in Spain. Two works, one written by an American and the other narrated by an Englishman, give their own particular insight into what life is like for an English-speaking expatriate in Spain.

Madrid Confessions by Ben Curtis is an audio memoir about the evolution of a British expat’s life in Spain’s capital city. Ben, along with his Spanish wife Marina Diez, have a large and devoted following for their Notes in Spanish podcasts. In the Madrid Confessions, Ben satisfies his fans’ curiosity about aspects of his private life and reveals how a series of serendipitous events led him to launch, and now run, a successful internet business. This English-language audio book is approximately 2.5 hours long and costs 17 euros ($24).

Novel of Life: Madrid, Spain by Lethe Bashar presents the viewpoint of an American college student on a study abroad program. Bashar is actually the pen name of Chris Al-Aswad and the book is a novelistic treatment of his time in Spain.

He moves into an apartment with a sixty-five year old Senora. Within two weeks, he undergoes an extreme form of culture shock. Between quitting classes, falling in love with his Senora’s maid (and his psychiatrist), smoking hashish, and meeting a group of native Spaniards, an innocent study abroad program turns to living dangerously.

Chris describes his book as “autobiographical fiction” as most, but not all, of his protagonist’s experiences happened to him during his year in Spain. Bashar’s Novel of Life remains a work in progress since it is not yet finished, but the Madrid chapters are readable online and there is also an accompanying podcast. Click here for a Q&A with Chris about the book.