Shortly before 2020, Germán Derribes Caballero was cleaning out a warehouse when he found “a few written pages” containing anecdotes from several days of hunting that he shared with his grandfather, Miguel Derribes (Valladolid, 1920-2010). “They were from when I was 19 or 20.” … So he committed to rewriting them, which gave him an idea: Why not do a memory exercise and compile all the experiences they shared? This compilation Book “Grandpa Delibes” (Destino, 2025)will be presented next Thursday at the Circulo de Recreo in Valladolid.
Delibes Caballero, the Valladolid novelist’s second grandson, said he didn’t want to do something too “subjective” and that’s why he threw it out immediately. his cousin’s hand“Especially the older kids who lived with Grandpa the most. But I also wanted the little ones to learn about how they lived with Grandpa.”
Through chapter 14, he discovers: Family members discuss becoming ‘closer and more loving’ Plus, it’s “witty and funny.” Perhaps the “image” we have of him is “a tough Castilian, a little unsociable, serious, and shy of public appearances, but in the family environment he appeared more amiable, although he was angry!” He said an ‘appropriate rant’. But in his book, Gelman recalls that he was one of those who stood by his grandchildren when he felt he had to.
Like the day my cousin Kang put a toy airplane on the balcony of the Peña store in Burgos, Sedano, but the owner said there was no airplane. They had no other idea than to write “Satur, you bastard, give me back the plane” on the road where the water flowed so that the owner could see it. When my cousin’s mother found out, she was severely scolded.”grandfather stood by his grandson’s side He also prohibited him from purchasing it again at Satur.
Another anecdote is, When the whole family gathered in La Casona’s living room To see the Miguel Indurain exhibit on tour. “These are very refreshing moments for us, especially thanks to the shouts and cheers that we heard to encourage the Navarre runners.” Not all the curiosity lies there. “There’s always something you want to keep to yourself,” he answered with a laugh.
Both happy moments and painful moments
They are Chapters dedicated to hunting, cycling, tennis and their relationship with La Casonathe Cervantes Prize, gifts and correspondence documenting the happiest times. Some are more harsh, such as those referring to Miguel Dolibes’ “changes” and “absence” after undergoing surgery. past 12 years We saw how he gradually disappeared, stopped going hunting, stopped playing tennis… Gelman said that depending on the moment he saw it, he felt “more or less nostalgic”, but when remembering him there was always a feeling of “joy”.
Each chapter is written in the same order as he wrote it. He was “surprised,” he says, when he ended the “correlation” between the two, which he had not originally planned. “They are talking about different things,” but there is a “connection” between them. Almost all of them gather in Sedano and its landscape. “It was a vacation spot that we all went to enjoy, including him. Although much of the summer was spent writing, he played tennis there, rode his bike, walked his dog, went hunting. … It was still a place where he felt comfortable and where he could enjoy his passions with his family.”
Throughout the book, Delibes Caballero admits several times that they enjoyed having an “atypical” grandfather, but if they had to highlight one quality above all else, it would definitely be this: Who was the “guardian”? “He was very concerned that we be good people and that we should always put the truth first. “He was a noble man and he tried to convey that nobility,” he added. The cornerstone upon which the whole family revolves. “He was the one who brought us together and he is largely responsible for where we are still 15 years later.”
He doesn’t know if “Grandpa” approved of the book, but he is certain that “I wrote this book with respect and love because I think people need to know that behind this author there was a Delibes family.”
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