About us
Backstory is the story behind the story—where the protagonists have been, what they've experienced, why they are where they are. It’s the literary ingredient that thickens the plot and enlivens the narrative. It's how we get to know—and connect with—a book's characters.
But [backstory] isn't just for books.
Unearthing others' backstories is one of the best parts of living a life abroad: What brought you here? And maybe as importantly, what’s kept you here?
[backstory] bookshop is where you can get to know—and connect with—characters, both on and off the page. It's the inclusive, community-centered space where swerving paths, bold decisions, and happy accidents can intersect.
Upcoming events
60
The Cli-Fi Book Club
Location not specified yetThis month's pick: The Wall by John Lanchester
BUY THE BOOK HERE
Welcome to the Cli-Fi Club—a book club where climate meets imagination. This group explores the power of fiction to illuminate environmental themes, spark meaningful dialogue, and inspire climate action.
Instructions
- Swing by the shop to pick up a copy of your book
- Read it
- Come discuss it
2 attendees
Backstory Talks: Claudia Piñeiro
Backstory English Bookshop, C/ de Mallorca, 330, Barcelona, ESWe’re delighted to welcome argentinian author Claudia Piñeiro to Backstory for a special evening in conversation with novelist Emma Christie.
Piñeiro is one of Argentina’s most widely read contemporary writers, known for crime and literary novels that combine suspense with sharp social and political insight. Several of her books have become bestsellers in Argentina and have been adapted for television series.
The conversation will focus on her work in English translation published by Charco Press, exploring crime fiction as a lens for social critique, the journey of her novels across languages, and the process of adaptation for the screen. The event will take the form of a short conversation followed by audience questions.
About the speakers:
Claudia Piñeiro
Born in Buenos Aires in 1960, Claudia Piñeiro is a best-selling author, known internationally for her novels that, while rooted in the crime genre, frequently address sociopolitical issues. She has won numerous international prizes, including the Pepe Carvalho Prize, the LiBeraturpreis for Elena Knows and the prestigious Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Prize for Las grietas de Jara (A Crack in the Wall). Many of her novels have been adapted for the screen, including Elena Knows, Thursday Night Widows and Cathedrals. Piñeiro is the third most translated Argentinian author, after Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar. She's also a playwright and scriptwriter (including for popular Netflix series The Kingdom). In 2022, her novel Elena Knows was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize.
Her books translated into English by Frances Riddle:
- Elena Knows
- Time of the Flies
- A Little Luck
- Cathedrals (out in May 2026)
Emma Christie
Emma Christie is a novelist based in Barcelona and the author of four crime and mystery novels set in Portobello, Edinburgh. Her debut, The Silent Daughter, was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year, as well as the Scottish Crime Debut of the Year and the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger. Her subsequent novels, including Find Her First and In Her Shadow — named Thriller of the Month by The Times — have been widely acclaimed, and her fourth novel, Watch Your Back, will be published in autumn 2025. Emma has appeared at major literary festivals such as Bloody Scotland, Aye Write, Theakstons Crime Writing Festival, and Granite Noir. Alongside her writing, she is the founder of the Diary of a Debut Novelist Festival, a member of the Crime Writers Association, and a regular host and moderator of literary events. She lives in Barcelona, where she continues to write and engage with the international literary community.4 attendees
Past events
218
Group links
Organizers
Members
3,819
