Don’t Forget to Write

Federico García Lorca, the poet and playwright whose work has been extensively studied, is a figure of boundless creativity, and he still has much to tell us. These letters offer a glimpse into his family life: he is the eldest son of Don Federico and Doña Vicente, and the loving and protective brother of Paco, Concha, and Isabelleta. More than a conventional biography, these correspondences bear witness to a rich and eventful life, painting the deepest and most nuanced portrait ever drawn of one of Granada’s most universal figures.

I was deeply moved as I read Federico’s letters—this industrious poet who fiercely defended his responsibility to the world, the chronicler of his travels, the dreamer, the witty and humorous man. Presented as a kind of intimate, familial narrative (Oh, Vicente, so worried about her son’s health and his dreams!), these letters bring the beloved poet back to life. I can only express my gratitude to Víctor Fernández for the gift of sharing decades of his brilliant and meticulous work with us.

Elo Ros

Víctor Fernández is one of Spain’s foremost experts on Federico García Lorca and his circle. In this book, after a monumental effort and including much previously unpublished material—Lorca is a wellspring of inspiration, always surprising us—Fernández brings together the extraordinary correspondence between the poet and his family, especially his mother. Anyone who loves the works of this genius from Fuente Vaqueros, a martyr, like Mariana Pineda, for freedom, will enjoy reading this book.