the_nubian_prince_bonilla
2008 Nominated

The Nubian Prince

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

To save lives and get handsomely paid for it—what job could be more rewarding? Moises Froissard has found the career opportunity of his dreams. After a start as a conventional bleeding heart with an idealistic aid group, he quickly wises up to the harsh reality of a world in which human life is just another product in a competitive marketplace. Now he travels the globe on the trail of illegal immigrants, refugees, and other ordinary souls brought low by war, natural disaster, or economic collapse. Scouting the slums and gutters of the world, Moises’s task is to unearth nature’s most beautiful men, women, and children and save them—for Club Olympus, a top-price international sex club.

Then Moises receives his toughest assignment yet: to find a “Nubian prince,” an African illegal caught fleetingly in the pages of a glossy magazine. The man is so painfully desirable that Club Olympus will sacrifice anything to have him—even Moises himself. Our narrator begins the chase, dazed, prevaricating, self-obsessed, funny, a little cruel, a little sentimental.

The Nubian Prince takes place in a pitiless world where the have-nots will do anything to become haves, while the privileged don’t know what to live for. Hilarious, moving, sexually explosive, and deeply disturbing, this bestselling Spanish novel introduces a new European star.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Juan
Bonilla

Juan Bonilla was born in Jerez, Spain, in 1966 and is a columnist for El Mundo, a Spanish daily newspaper. The author of three novels, four short-story collections, and a children’s book, he was awarded the prestigious Biblioteca Breve prize for The Nubian Prince. He lives in Spain.

Juan Bonilla was born in Jerez, Spain, in 1966 and is a columnist for El Mundo, a Spanish daily newspaper. The author of three novels, four short-story collections, and a children’s book, he was awarded the prestigious Biblioteca Breve prize for The Nubian Prince. He lives in Spain.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Esther
Allen

Esther Allen has translated Javier Marias, Jorge Luis Borges, Felisberto Hernandez, Flaubert, Rosario Castellanos, Blaise Cendrars, Marie Darrieussecq, and Jose Marti. She is currently a professor at Baruch College (CUNY) and has directed the work of the PEN Translation Fund since its founding in 2003. Allen has received a Fulbright Grant (1989), a National Endowment for the Arts Translation Fellowship (1995), and was named a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters (2006).

Esther Allen has translated Javier Marias, Jorge Luis Borges, Felisberto Hernandez, Flaubert, Rosario Castellanos, Blaise Cendrars, Marie Darrieussecq, and Jose Marti. She is currently a professor at Baruch College (CUNY) and has directed the work of the PEN Translation Fund since its founding in 2003. Allen has received a Fulbright Grant (1989), a National Endowment for the Arts Translation Fellowship (1995), and was named a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters (2006).

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Written as a comical thriller Spanish author Bonilla’s poignant tale of human trafficking is all the more disturbing.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
Spain
Original Language
Spanish
Author
Publisher
Metropolitan Books
Translator
Esther Allen

RELATED FEATURES

Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner in Conversation

Watch 2026 Dublin Literary Award winner, Ali Smith, and author Belinda McKeon in conversation, which took place on 22nd May 2026 at the Dublin International Literature Festival
Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

Watch back the 2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony which took place on 21st May 2026
News May 21 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 16 2026

Brigitte Giraud – Live Fast Q&A

Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.