My first training was not in literature but in architecture. Before I ever thought of myself as a novelist, I learned how to look at buildings, streets, and public spaces. This way of seeing the world has never left me, and it explains why I often write about cities in my stories.
Havana and Berlin
I was born in Havana, Cuba and I have lived in Berlin for more than twenty years. Both cities left deep marks on me. Havana taught me that a city can be a labyrinth of secrets. Berlin shows me that every corner has a hidden history.
Read more about me here.
Traveling Through Europe
Since moving to Europe, I have traveled through many cities: Lisbon, Paris, Vienna, Prague. Each trip adds fragments that later return in my writing. I often share these impressions in short stories on my Spanish blog or on Facebook. Sometimes they remain as diary notes, sometimes they grow into novels.
Cities as Characters
When I write, a city is never just a background. A narrow corridor can feel like a trap, a public square at night becomes a stage, a bridge turns into a threshold. For me, the city itself is a character, shaping the fate of everyone inside it.
Final Note
This blog is where I will keep exploring those hidden geographies. If you enjoy stories that treat cities as living beings, follow my journey here — and discover more at Rafael Books
