Death of a Horse

An outstanding short novel by an author included in "Granta"'s "Best Young Spanish-Language Novelists."A professor and a student in a nervous courtship are driving to his friend's country house for a weekend. Towards the end of their journey they come upon an accident in the road where a horse is fatally injured. The lovers try to help, something that will put them through their first disagreements and towards their first truly tender moment. With his insight into the sweet jerkiness that defines our romantic encounters, Barba portrays the fragile atmosphere between two people.