Zombies Have Arrived in Seville: Zevilla Zombi Nation

This is how I imagine David (Johnny Candela) promoting his new book if the internet did not exist: driving a Citroën C-15 with a megaphone, just like the upholstery van that used to announce itself in the streets—and sometimes still does.

“Attention, ladies and gentlemen! The upholstery van has arrived in your town. We reupholster chairs, armchairs, seats, sofas, rocking chairs, bedroom chairs and every kind of furniture and upholstery in poor condition. Do not miss this opportunity. Fabric, imitation leather, velvet and corduroy. Collection and delivery at your own home.”

I can see and hear his pitch in my head like this, only funnier. Johnny Candela is seriously funny, as you will discover when you read his book:

“Attention, ladies and gentlemen! Zombies have arrived in your city. If you do not believe me, go to a bookshop and see for yourself: Zevilla Zombi Nation, the novel taking the city by storm. Discover a Seville you have never seen, invaded by zombie hordes and mysteries that challenge your imagination. Think you know your city? Rediscover it through action, horror and a touch of apocalyptic humour. Do not miss the year’s most frantic adventure. Available in print and digitally. Hurry before copies sell out and the zombies reach you!”

I have known him for 15 years, but only during the pandemic did I discover that he could write—and write really well! This is neither his first nor his second book: it is his third. Zevilla Zombi Nation is the first in a trilogy that will leave you well—or badly—prepared for a hypothetical zombie invasion of the city.

Jesús Pozuelo, Johnny Candela and Ignacio de la Puerta — Left to right:
**Jesús Pozuelo**, founder of Ispavilia
**Johnny Candela**, author of Zevilla Zombi Nation
**Ignacio de la Puerta**, actor

With a foreword by Ignacio de la Puerta, David was supported by him and Jesús Pozuelo at the official launch at Teatro Triana on Thursday 17 October 2024. More than 150 of us joined David for his presentation.

If you want to imagine a zombie catastrophe with a Sevillian touch, give this book a chance. Its 14 very Sevillian characters include someone you will identify with—or someone you know. The “Carrefú” in Camas becomes an unexpected zombie setting in an explosive mix seen through Laura, the protagonist:

During Holy Week 2024, spoiled torrijas turn more than half of Seville’s population into zombies. One hell of a mess. Imagine hordes of the undead dressed in their finest clothes causing chaos in your street. Laura must deal with her grandfather, now a zombie but without a single tooth, and therefore—in theory—not a threat, and with her younger brother, a gamer and YouTuber. Their parents have already been evacuated…