Granada-born Men Marías wins the VI Cartagena Negra Novel Prize

The Granada-born author Men Marías, with her novel ‘La Última Paloma’, has been the winner of the VI Cartagena Negra Novel Prize. The jury has highlighted the structure of the novel and the way of approaching a plot that takes place for several decades in the Rota military base, as well as the value of a couple of characters, Patria Santiago and Sacha Santos, who are in charge of bringing out to the light secrets that have been hidden for too many years.

Likewise, the organizers acknowledged having had a very difficult time given the quality of all the novels presented, not only that of Men Marías, but also those of Manuel Ríos San Martín, Santiago Díaz and Félix García Hernán. The ruling, which recognizes the literary values ​​of those black novels published throughout the immediately preceding year, in this case during 2021, was unveiled during the closing session of Cartagena Negra, which was attended by the four finalists, and which was closed with the award ceremony.

A conference that has returned to its original five days, with a large public attendance and, judging by the comments of the readers, with very involved authors who have been especially close to the viewer.

Men Marías (Granada, 1989) graduated in Law and practiced law since he was twenty-three, specializing in the commercial sector. She made her debut as a writer with the work ‘Pukata, fish and seafood’, (Carmen Martín Gaite Novel Award 2017, second prize in Torrente Ballester Award 2017).

In the short story genre, she has a total of 28 mentions as winner and finalist in different Spanish and international literary contests. In addition, she is a tutor of literary technique, black novel and poetry in her city.