The Hand of Fatima by Ildefonso Falcones

In 2015, Ildefonso Falcones was accused of defrauding the Spanish Treasury of 1,4 million euros between 20 by transferring the copyrights of his works to companies based outside of Spain. His fifth novel, El pintor de almas (2019), set in the mired by social conflict early 20th-century Barcelona, follows the life of an artist and his uneasy relation with an anarchist. His fourth novel, Los herederos de la tierra, is a continuation to La catedral del mar. His third novel was La reina descalza (2013), set in between Seville and Madrid in the 18th century, follows the interwoven lives of two women (a former slave from Cuba and a gypsy from Triana) with the Great Gypsy Round-up as a backdrop. His second novel, La mano de Fátima (2009), deals with the Morisco revolt and later expulsion of the Moriscos. He became famous with the historical thriller Cathedral of the Sea, published in 2006, and set in 14th century Barcelona. It took him 5 years to finish his first novel. And although he previously started his work in literature, for the past few years he has had to balance his work with his passion for writing books. He currently practices law at his own law firm, located in the Eixample district of Barcelona.

He eventually decided to drop his studies in economics to balance his studies of law with a job at a bingo in Barcelona. After which, he began his university studies, attempting to earn degrees in economics and law. He studied at the College of San Ignacio's Jesuits in Spain. His career in sports ended with his father's death that same year. He had a career as a horseback rider at the age of 17, becoming the Junior Champion of Spain in show jumping, as well as excelling in field hockey. Ildefonso Falcones is the son of a lawyer and homemaker.

He is best known for writing the best-seller Cathedral of the Sea. Ildefonso Falcones de Sierra (born 1959) is a Spanish lawyer and writer from Barcelona. Ildefonso Falcones in the church of Santa Maria del Mar in 2008.

The Hand of Fatima by Ildefonso Falcones