Recently launched, Fum D’Estampa Press is a small publisher dedicated to introducing Catalonian literature to English-speaking readers. A little niche you might think but if Jordi Llavina’s London Under Snow is anything to go by, worth seeking out. I was attracted to Llavina’s collection partly thanks to enjoying a short story roll after reading Dierdre Shanahan’s Carrying Fire and Water then Kevin Barry’s That Old Country Music, and partly because I thought it might be a chance for a literary visit to Spain given there was little chance of actually going there this year. London Under Snow comprises six winter stories, none of them bearing that title, each lengthy enough to deserve a synopsis of its own.
Hand & Racquet Jordi, who meticulously replicates his weekends, is asked by his best friend to visit a London hatter so that they can inspect the stain on his cashmere cap. Once installed in his Paddington hotel an unfortunate incident puts his mission at risk but it seems that his friend had something other than hat restoration in mind for him.
My Andalusian Cousin sees the death of the narrator’s cousin summoning a vivid memory of a Christmas spent together, one of only two occasions they met, and the realisation of how little his cousin meant to him but that the reverse may not have been the case.
We Too Are Expecting is a sad, almost fable like story of a woman anxiously looking out for the forecast snow just before Christmas, sitting on sofa knitting her annual scarf for her daughter and whispering stories for her ears alone.
San Diego, For the Record sees a man open the door to his terrace, about to hang out his washing on a chilly Christmas Eve only to find a vagrant fast asleep. Once treated to the vagrant’s somewhat fantastical story, our narrator takes him in and finds himself believing in something he never thought he would.
A Man Called Amat is about a man convinced that the lone regular diner in his brother’s swanky restaurant is the charismatic teacher responsible for igniting his passion for literature, remembering the day he ignored his teacher’s single prohibition.
The Linden Tree tells the story of out narrator’s love for his young wife’s grandmother who captivated him from the day they met, and the sadness of watching her lose her memory.
Llavina’s stories are all about memory, love and lost youth, often tinged with regret and melancholy. Several are narrated by a writer named Jordi, some with a vein of playful humour running through them although overall the style feels quite formal. Llavina has an eye for the detail of everyday life, capable of describing a clotheshorse and its associated pegs at great length which should be tedious but somehow isn’t at all, summoning up his narrator’s life and memories in carefully shaded word pictures. All the stories are set against a wintery background, often at Christmas. Should you know a short story fan keen to branch out a little, the very smartly turned out London Under Snow might make an original if not traditional stocking filler. You can buy it direct from Fum d’Estampa here.
Fum D’Estampa Press: London/Barcelona 9781916293960 157 pages Hardback
What a very interesting collection of stories! I’m coming late to both short stories and translated literature; although not fully committed to either my dabblings in both have made for a far more interesting reading life. This collection and publisher both sound worth checking out . . .
Definitely worth your time! I’m a fairly late convert to short stories, too.
I have family just outside Barcelona, so have been reading a bit of Catalan lit in translation. This publisher looks fascinating – and interesting first few titles.
I hope they do well. Quite brave to set up a publisher for such a niche market but both titles I’ve seen have been interesting, each very different from the other. The books are beautifully presented, too.
Sounds like one to look out for.
Definitely, Janet.
Skimming your review, as I have this lurking on the TBr – glad it’s good though! 😀
Hope you enjoy it!
It’s always good to hear about new publishing ventures. This sounds like an interesting collection. I especially like the sound of My Andalusian cousin and We too are Expecting.
It’s pretty niche but fingers crossed they’ll succeed. Pleased you like the sound of this one.
I’ve come to really love short stories over the last few years – this sounds like a strong collection.
Me, too, Cathy. It’s really expanded my reading world.
Oh no – yet another excellent indie press to get involved with!!
Sorry, Liz… Well, not really!
Haha!
PS – I have just ordered this and one of their other titles (English Hours) Wishing you a lovely relaxing weekend Susan! X
Delighted to hear that! Let me know what you think of English Hours, and you, too, Liz x
This sounds a really interesting collection, and a perfect read for this time of year! I hope the venture is successful for Fum D’Estampa.
Me, too. They’re launching at such a difficult time. This one would make a lovely Christmas read, a nice little stocking filler for short story lovers.
Reading this as the first book for 2021 in the Borderlss BookClub. I’m not hugely into short stories but found these well constructed and interesting. A great eye for detail and some poetic language. And the finest description of a clotheshorse I gave ever encountered. Maybe the only one, but, nevertheless… London Under Snow is a beautfully presented book and I wish the publisher every success.
This collection made quite an impression on me. Quite formal in expression but often poetic, as you say, and you’re quite right about that clotheshorse!