In this award-winning debut novel, a series of unfortunate and emotionally debilitating events leads the protagonist to Villa Verano, an anachronistic amusement park in Barcelona, where he’s trapped in a dead-end job that involves donning animal costumes. It is there also, however, where he may find love in the figure of a girl who evokes memories of a longed-for childhood. A coming-of-age story of sorts, the novel has one overarching theme: everyone, sooner or later, has to grow up. Filled with the images and themes of youth—love, bumper cars, summers spent discovering oneself, girls with ponytails and ankle socks, pop music, bubble gum—this book is as evocative as it is humorous and revealing. Winner of: Talento FNAC Prize, 2011 In this award-winning debut novel, a series of unfortunate and emotionally debilitating events leads the protagonist to Villa Verano, an anachronistic amusement park in Barcelona, where he’s trapped in a dead-end job that involves donning animal costumes. It is there also, however, where he may find love in the figure of a girl who evokes memories of a longed-for childhood. A coming-of-age story of sorts, the novel has one overarching theme: everyone, sooner or later, has to grow up. Filled with the images and themes of youth—love, bumper cars, summers spent discovering oneself, girls with ponytails and ankle socks, pop music, bubble gum—this book is as evocative as it is humorous and revealing.