Andorran Author Iñaki Rubio Unveils Short Story Collection Friccions

Andorran author Iñaki Rubio has returned to short fiction with Friccions, a collection of 23 stories published by Medusa that delves into subtle disruptions of everyday reality.

Set for release on 14 September, the volume is structured in three sections: “El membre fantasma”, “Estampes” and “Interferències”. It expands on recurring themes from his prior books, such as Trencadís (2012), L’altre costat del mirall (2014) and Bestiari pirinenc (2021), weaving classic storytelling with compact literary sketches and contemporary uncanny elements.

The narratives start from routine moments, then introduce small alterations that challenge perceptions of identity, doubles, memory, technology, alternate paths, relationships and personal narratives. The first part features extended tales of loss, fragmentation and conflicting selves. “Estampes” delivers succinct snapshots of daily actions and settings, while “Interferències” examines how tech, imagination and self-images distort the real.

After novels and hybrid non-fiction like Morts, qui us ha mort? and Pau de Gósol, Rubio embraces shorts once more—the genre where he started. He described it as offering flexibility for experimentation, unlike the constraints of recent projects. “I’ve always kept writing them,” he said. “They let me explore concepts swiftly for bigger works.” Pieces span years, some dating to 2017 or 2018, with heavy editing. “Rewriting is the real craft,” he added. “Revisiting after time reveals fresh angles as you’ve changed.”

A common thread casts characters into life’s uneasy tensions. “We chase consistency, yet daily jolts fray it,” Rubio remarked, blending the mundane with the eerie to probe quiet unease.

Certain tales mirror his own creative doubts, including fears of repetition. He highlighted “La germana invisible” as an initial novel seed delayed by other commitments. Returning to an Andorran publisher after a break feels significant, he noted, thanking Medusa.

For first-time readers, he suggested: “It’s approachable, engaging and eye-opening—like new lenses on routine wonders.”