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I’m a big Marias fan, and can’t wait for the third volume of Your Face Tomorrow to be translated into English. In the meantime, the Financial Times* has an interesting on Marias, aka King Xavier I of Redonda:

Earlier this month Poison, Shadow and Farewell, a final, third volume of Your Face Tomorrow was published, as yet only in Spanish . I arrive at Marías���Ĵ�ý� flat in Madrid a couple of minutes after the author���Ĵ�ý�s copies have been delivered. We stand in the entrance hall surveying the pile of books. I pick one up. My wrist buckles.

���Ĵ�ý�Seven hundred and seven pages ,���Ĵ�ý� says Marías. ���Ĵ�ý�Shorter in English.���Ĵ�ý�

���Ĵ�ý�Goodness,���Ĵ�ý� I say, hefting the wodge of pages. ���Ĵ�ý�You���Ĵ�ý�ve outdone Tolstoy.���Ĵ�ý�

���Ĵ�ý�Never mind Tolstoy. Don Quixote is 1,200 pages. Mine is over 1,600 pages. I have beaten Cervantes.���Ĵ�ý� He smiles. ���Ĵ�ý�Not in quality, of course, only in extension.���Ĵ�ý� He smiles more. ���Ĵ�ý�It���Ĵ�ý�s a terrible boldness on my part.���Ĵ�ý�

• Why is it that business publications have some of the best arts sections?