Sampedro, José Luis

b. 1917, Barcelona

   Writer

   An eminent economist, Sampedro began writing novels in the 1940s, treating themes reflecting his cosmopolitan travels: Congreso en Estolcomo (Conference in Stockholm) (1952), El río que nos lleva (The River that Carries Us) (1961)—depicting logging and its folk culture-and El caballo desnudo (Naked Horse) (1970). Octubre, octubre (October, October) (1981), his most noted novel, presents a cultured, exotic, cabalistic world. Subsequent novels include La sonrisa etrusca (Etruscan Smile) (1985) and La vieja sirena (Ancient Mermaid) (1990). Mar al fondo (Marine Background) (1992) and Mientras la tierra gira (As the World Turns) (1993) are story collections.

   Further reading

   - Quiroga Clérigo, M. (1986) "Las novelas de José Luis Sampedro", Cuadernos hispanoamericanos 428: 144–56 (general survey of Sampedro's first five novels).

   - Sánchez Arnosi, M. (1982) "José Luis Sampedro y su novela Octubre, octubre: una teoría del conocimiento", Insula 424, 5.

   JANET PÉREZ