Translated by Allan Baker

Foreword by Sally Mears

Two men are thrown together in a Buenos Aires cell. Sometimes they talk all night to entertain each other. Molina is older, gay, and likes to recount his favourite romantic movies. Valentin, young and idealistic, believes in changing the world. Molina believes that only love makes the world bearable.

Although they have little in common, a deep bond develops between them, soon to be tested by the prison guards…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MANUEL PUIG (1932-1990) was an Argentinian playwright, novelist and screenwriter. He won major international prizes for his novels which have been published in at least fourteen languages. His works include the semi-autobiographical La Traicin de Rita Hayworth (Betrayed by Rita Hayworth), Boquitas Pintadas (Heartbreak Tango), Sangre de Amour Correspondido (Blood of Requited Love) and Misterio del Ramo de Rosas (Mystery of the Rose Bouquet) presented in London 1987; but he is probably best remembered for Kiss of the Spider Woman (El Beso de la Mujer Araña), first published in 1976.

ALLAN BAKER (translator) read Spanish and French at Cambridge. Kiss of the Spider Woman was his first translation. He also did the adaptation and screenplay of Storia di una Capinera (Sparrow) (1993). His television work includes Dead Entry (1987), Aliens in the Family (1987), Just William (1994), and El Tránsfuga (2003).