Author Máximo Huerta: 'I lived my childhood with fear'

Máximo Huerta, a celebrated writer from Valencia, has opened up about a childhood overshadowed by fear. He described a home environment where the sound of keys in the lock could trigger anxiety, leading him to create his own narratives as a coping mechanism.

"I had to invent stories so as not to hear the noise from the living room," Huerta shared, revealing the deep-seated fear that permeated his early years. This personal experience has informed his latest literary work.

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I had to invent stories so as not to hear the noise from the living room.

His new novel, "Mamá está dormida" (Mom is Asleep), released in January, centers on a mother suffering from memory loss and the son who becomes her caregiver. The book delves into the intricate dynamics of their relationship, exploring themes of identity, memory, and familial duty.

Huerta's return to the literary scene with this novel offers readers a poignant exploration of complex family relationships, drawing from his own experiences to craft a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

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Not all childhoods are happy. I lived mine with fear, fear of the keys sounding.