Any study of Mendoza’s books would be incomplete without mentioning his non-fiction work, La importancia de la ficción (2018). In this collection of essays and lectures, Mendoza outlines his literary philosophy. He argues that fiction is not an escape from reality, but a simulation laboratory where humans can rehearse possible futures and understand their pasts. He posits that the contemporary novel must compete with cinema and the internet; therefore, it must be faster, more visual, and structurally innovative. This theoretical framework provides the key to understanding the "high-concept" nature of his own fiction.
Any study of Mendoza’s books would be incomplete without mentioning his non-fiction work, La importancia de la ficción (2018). In this collection of essays and lectures, Mendoza outlines his literary philosophy. He argues that fiction is not an escape from reality, but a simulation laboratory where humans can rehearse possible futures and understand their pasts. He posits that the contemporary novel must compete with cinema and the internet; therefore, it must be faster, more visual, and structurally innovative. This theoretical framework provides the key to understanding the "high-concept" nature of his own fiction.