Leer a Pedro Almodóvar: “El escritor es egoísta por naturaleza”

In a recent interview, director Pedro Almodóvar spoke about the deep connection he has with books and how they influence his work. The writer, who has published numerous short stories over the years, gathered them all in his latest book, El último sueño (2023). However, it was only at the age of 77 that Almodóvar decided to publish his first novel, El hombre que solo escribía en los aviones (Reservoir Books), set to be released on October 29, 2026.

The novel is a frenetic and free-flowing story, much like Almodóvar's films, infused with a strong reading passion.

Flavio Guijarro, a new addition to Almodóvar's team of authors, is portrayed as an author coach obsessed with writing. Like many of Almodóvar's characters, Flavio shares many of his traits. He is known for blurring the lines between fiction, reality, lived experiences, and what he reads. This interview delves into the world of books and Almodóvar's unique perspective as both a reader and a writer.

He is interviewed at the offices of El Deseo, his production company, whose walls are adorned with memories and posters of his films from around the world.

At the center of it all is Almodóvar's office, filled with a large bookshelf brimming with books that are mostly recent arrivals. The author's personal library, he admits, is located at home. On the desk sits the latest book that has captivated him, Cosamala by Alana S. Portero, an author whom he praises profusely. Almodóvar begins the conversation on a relaxed note, appearing serene, amiable, and comfortable - far removed from the classic promotional frenzy typical of cinema and the anxiety that, he claims, served as a driving force for his novel.