Eduardo Mendoza was born in 1943 in Barcelona. He spent some years in New York working as an interpreter for the United Nations before returning to his native city. Widely considered to be one of Spain’s leading contemporary novelists, he has won many literary prizes internationally. His works include No Word from Gurb (Telegram), The Mystery of the Enchanted Crypt (Telegram), City of Marvels and The Year of the Flood.