The town hall of Estepona has announced that journalist and author Viruca Yebra will present her latest book, ‘Te fuiste y empezó mi vida’, on 12 November at 19:00 in the Casa de Las Tejerinas. She will be joined at the event by Estepona's mayor, José María García Urbano, and local journalist and writer, Teresa Floro.
In ‘Te fuiste y empezó mi vida’, Yebra explores essential themes such as belonging, freedom, the weight of tradition, emotional education, fidelity to one’s conscience, and the challenging task of maintaining dignity when fate seems to impose itself with overwhelming force.
For this novel and her overall literary career, Yebra has been honoured with the 2026 Virginia Woolf International Literature Prize, awarded by Grupo Editorial Sial Pigmalión. Established in 2017, the prize recognises female authors who have made significant contributions to poetry, narrative, or essay writing, while also celebrating the legacy of Virginia Woolf, a prominent figure in 20th-century modernist literature and feminist thought.
Synopsis of the novel
The story follows Emily Vignaud, whose life takes a dramatic turn when her father, a French doctor living in Beirut, passes away. At just fifteen, she moves in with her Muslim grandparents, leading her to confront a new reality and customs that shatter the future her father had envisioned for her. As her past fades from memory, her grandfather, a man deeply rooted in tradition, takes control of her life. Fortunately, Emily finds support in her grandmother, Mama Alice, a strong-willed woman with a fascinating past, who encourages her to pursue her dreams.
The novel reflects Lebanon's golden era, portraying it as a modern, cosmopolitan, and prosperous nation filled with glamour. Readers will accompany Emily through the pain of heartbreak and betrayal, economic hardships, unconditional love, and even war. The rich cultural and religious diversity of Lebanon serves as an exotic backdrop, while Emily's journey of self-discovery unfolds in post-war Paris, a hub of existentialism and bohemian life.
This narrative does not present clear-cut heroes or villains; rather, it depicts real life as told by the characters themselves, with their complexities, convictions, and fears, not to be judged but to understand their actions. As
