01 · Plaza de España
Cervantes and his creations
The monument to Cervantes and his creations Don Quixote and Sancho Panza dominates the centre of the Plaza de…
Read the story — Cervantes and his creationsA new book by Linda Jaivin
The Shortest History ofMadrid
Out now in Australia · US Mar 2027 · UK Apr 2027
The Book
El libroMadrid’s story is one of the most unlikely of any European capital
The only European capital founded as a Muslim settlement, Madrid has a story as diverse as its population today. From the grandeur of the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties to the chaos and trauma of civil war and dictatorship, Madrid has survived it all with defiant spirit.
It has been home to some of Spain’s – and the world’s – most brilliant writers, thinkers and artists, from Cervantes and Goya to Hemingway and Almodóvar. It has been the setting for outrageous political scandals, mass movements and wild literary rivalries. And it continues to be a city that refuses to be defined by anything but its own irrepressible energy.
Praise
ElogiosImpressively compact for such a vast subject, Linda Jaivin’s brief history of Madrid captures the depth and flavour of one of the world’s most remarkable cities.
‘Filled with vivid descriptions and entertaining asides, Linda Jaivin’s prose dances gracefully over centuries of Madrid’s history with ease, making this an entertaining and informative read.’
Glimpses of Madrid
02 · Lavapiés
A Madrileña celebrating the Festival of the Mayos
A fabulous Madrileña in costume for the Festival of the Mayos, a festival centred in the colourful, ancient…
Read the story — A Madrileña celebrating the Festival of the Mayos
03 · Carabanchel
The gate of the Colonia de la Prensa
The early twentieth century gate of the Colonia de la Prensa in Carabanchel, where my friend Helena and I…
Read the story — The gate of the Colonia de la Prensa
04 · Carabanchel
‘Justicia popular’
‘Justicia popular’ - ‘social justice’. This is a sign within the wasteland in Carabanchel that was once the…
Read the story — ‘Justicia popular’
05 · El Retiro
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace in El Retiro park. It opened in the late 19th century with the now notorious ‘Philippines…
Read the story — The Crystal Palace
06 · Royal Palace
A table set for kings and queens
The dining room is the largest room of the Royal Palace. Above the long table, which can seat more than 100…
Read the story — A table set for kings and queens
07 · Centre
Monument to the victims of Mauthausen
This somewhat obscure memorial, tucked away in Plaza del Rollo over a carpark behind the Plaza de la Villa…
Read the story — Monument to the victims of Mauthausen
00 / 07
Swipe upScroll or swipe to travel
The Author
Photo by Anna Hay
Linda Jaivin
Linda Jaivin is an internationally published Australian author, cultural commentator, essayist and translator. She has written thirteen books — seven novels and six works of non-fiction — including The Shortest History of China, translated into nearly two dozen languages. She lives in Sydney.
- The Shortest History of Madrid2026
- Bombard the Headquarters!2025
- The Shortest History of China2021
- The Empress Lover2014
- Found in Translation2013
Upcoming events
- Fri 16 OctIn conversation with Luke StegemannAvid Reader Bookshop, West End, Brisbane · 6:30 pmBook (opens in a new tab)
- Tue 20 OctIn conversation with John ZubrzyckiPaperchain Bookstore, Manuka, Canberra · 5:30 pm · FreeBook (opens in a new tab)
- Thu 29 OctWith John Zubrzycki, in conversation with Satyajit DasUpstairs at Gleebooks, Glebe, Sydney · 6:30 pmBook (opens in a new tab)
Editions
Find your copy of Madrid
AustraliaBlack Inc.Out now — Buy from Black Inc. (opens in a new tab)United StatesThe ExperimentMarch 2027 — See the catalogue (opens in a new tab)
United KingdomOld Street PublishingApril 2027 — Coming soon