Cecilia F. Santomé Explores Grief for Grandfather in 'As despedidas'

Cecilia F. Santomé (born 1984 in San Simón, Galicia) has published her third novel, 'As despedidas', originally written in Galician and now released in Spanish by Consonni in 2024. The narrative begins with the death of the narrator's grandfather and follows the 72 hours immediately after his passing. Set in a house in rural Galicia, the story examines how life continues when a foundational figure suddenly disappears. The narrator, both witness and participant, grapples with questions of farewell and presence in absence. Santomé is noted as the favorite writer of filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar and has been described as occupying spaces on the right while renouncing the cachet of being called a novelist.