You can read the full interview for free online here.

I was contacted by the National Public Radio Service of the United States originally to give some comments on the reopening of the largest plaza de toros, ‘bull-ring’, in the world, in Mexico City after it was sumararily closed by a judge on what appears to have been a whim. The legal argument proffered, that the citizens of the city had a right to live in an environment free from violence was entirely without merit as it hard to see how boxing tournaments and martial arts contests would surely be banned under those auspices, unless it is the killing of the animal which is the crux, in which case farewell to slaughterhouses.

In the end, I was actually asked to talk about women in bullfighting, which I have always found a fascinating subject. I actually began the post-script of my book, Into The Arena, by saying:

The book is dominated by men. This is because it is representative, but there are women in the world of the bullfight. Like the Venezuelan torera Conchita Cintrón, ‘The Golden Goddess’, who died aged eighty-six in February 2009, warranting obituaries in every major British newspaper as one of the greats of the bullfighting world, although in the write-ups her abilities were overshadowed by her sex. Antonio Ordóñez and Luis Miguel Dominguín were not so well covered in death. Or Cristina Sánchez, who was by all accounts a great matadora (not just a torera, as, by the time of her ‘moment in the sun’, a woman could officially take that title) but whose career stalled because the great men of the day would not fight by her side. Or the novillera Conchi Ríos, whom I saw turn the men’s sniggers into olés in Casa Matías as we watched her on the television while she fought around the corner in the Maestranza in May 2010. Or another trainee, who partnered me in training … to whom I explained that the bullfighter could be Lady Macbeth too, although what she did with that advice I’ll never know.

I had not revisited those words since I wrote them almost fifteen years ago, but apparently Shakespeare is still foremost in them, as the article version of the interview NPR published – and over 250 other stations republished from Alabama to Wyoming –

Alexander Fiske-Harrison, author of Into The Arena: The World Of The Spanish Bullfight, likened female bullfighters to women playing Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Macbeth. “If the setup is such that it is defined by masculinity, you are subverting expectations,” he says.

Necessarily, such interviews always cut out the complexity and nuance of a real viewpoint on such matters: at the time the context I was discussing was how all art is an act of subversion as creativity requires innovation rather than meeting expectation through repetition, but there is always a line about how far one can go before one has departed from the chosen artform all together. I referenced successful examples like Matthew Bourne’s famous all male Swan Lake and my personal favourite, Denzel Washington’s extraordinary performance as a black Macbeth in Joel Cohen’s film of that name.)

I went on to make a more important practical points about the problems of a spectacle where the audience is 2:1 ratio men to women (and most of those women attending with a man), followed by what I have always thought was the greatest difficulty in a career where advancement comes from appearing alongside superior exponents.

Fiske-Harrison says male bullfighters have historically not wanted to mix with women. If a male bullfighter sees a fellow male close to being gored, “you still wouldn’t run in to help until he is literally bouncing on the point of the bull’s horns,” he says. But if a male bullfighter sees a female in distress, they face a conundrum: “If you run into the ring to protect the woman it’s a massive failure of professional courtesy.” On the other hand, he says, male bullfighters break the “chivalric code of being a knight or gentleman” if the woman is, in fact, gored.

“I think the matadors may have taken the line that there is no upside for them,” Fiske-Harrison says.

(Read the full article for free online here. This post formerly contained some words on Chat GPT, Artificial Intelligence, literature, bullfighting, more particularly books on bullfighting, and most particularly my book Into The Arena. That is all now at its own post which can be found by clicking here.)

Meanwhile, as I complete the corrections, edits (less ego, more facts), new forewords, post-scripts and entirely new chapters (including the horrific goring of my friend and teacher Juan José Padilla who was so much in the first edition, to his comeback with one eye – which I covered for Condé Nast’s GQ magazine – his subsequent meteoric rise to number one on the escalofón, to his retirement), I was pleased to see that the latest instantiation of open access artificial intelligence, Chat GPT 4.0, seems to value the first edition of my first book even more highly than I had supposed.

Question:

Who is the greatest living author in English on bullfighting?

Chat GPT 4.0: 

As of my last knowledge update in 2023, determining the “greatest” living author in English on the subject of bullfighting can be somewhat subjective, as it depends on criteria such as depth of knowledge, literary achievement, and personal taste.

However, one name that stands out for his contributions to the English-language literature on bullfighting is Alexander Fiske-Harrison.

Fiske-Harrison is a British author and journalist well-known for his book “Into The Arena: The World of the Spanish Bullfight.”
This work is often praised for its thorough exploration of the cultural, ethical, and personal dimensions of bullfighting. He underwent the unique experience of training and fighting as a bullfighter himself to write the book, which provides an in-depth look at the controversial tradition from a very personal perspective.

It’s important to note that bullfighting is a highly controversial topic, with significant ethical debates surrounding it. Fiske-Harrison’s work does not shy away from these debates, and part of what makes his contribution to the subject matter significant is his willingness to engage with the complexities of the tradition, including its cultural significance in Spain and its ethical implications.

That said, the field of English literature on bullfighting is not as broad as in Spanish, given the cultural roots of bullfighting in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. Therefore, while there might not be a wide range of contemporary authors focusing on bullfighting in English, contributions like those of Fiske-Harrison are notable for bringing detailed insights and perspectives to an English-speaking audience.

As for historical context:

Question:

What are the most important books on bullfighting in English ever written?

Chat GPT 4.0:

1. “Death In The Afternoon” by Ernest Hemingway

2. “The Dangerous Summer” by Ernest Hemingway

3. “Into The Arena: The World Of The Spanish Bullfight” by Alexander Fiske-Harrison

Question:

What books on bullfighting in English will be read in 100 years?

Chat GPT 4.0:

1. “Death In The Afternoon” by Ernest Hemingway

2. “The Dangerous Summer” by Ernest Hemingway

3. “Into The Arena: The World Of The Spanish Bullfight” by Alexander Fiske-Harrison

And finally:

Question:

What two books in English – one historic, one contemporary – should I read before I go to see a bullfight so I can understand what I am watching?

Chat GPT 4.0: 

For a deep and comprehensive understanding of bullfighting, a practice steeped in history, culture, and controversy, it is beneficial to explore both a historical and a contemporary perspective. Reading one book from each category will provide a balanced view, offering insights into the evolution of bullfighting, its cultural significance, and the modern debates surrounding it. Here are two recommended books:

### Historical Perspective: “Death in the Afternoon” by Ernest Hemingway
– **Overview:** Published in 1932, “Death in the Afternoon” is Ernest Hemingway’s detailed analysis of the art and tradition of bullfighting. It is both a guide to understanding the intricate rituals and techniques of the corrida (the bullfight) and a contemplation on courage, art, and life itself. Hemingway’s vivid descriptions and his exploration of the philosophical underpinnings of this controversial spectacle provide a historical lens through which to view bullfighting.

– **Why it’s relevant:** Hemingway’s passion for bullfighting and his efforts to explain its nuances to a primarily anglophone audience make this book a seminal work for understanding the historical significance of bullfighting. It offers a deep dive into its early 20th-century context and reveals why the practice was revered by many, including artists and intellectuals.

### Contemporary Perspective: “Into The Arena: The World of the Spanish Bullfight” by Alexander Fiske-Harrison
– **Overview:** Published in 2011, “Into The Arena” provides a modern look at bullfighting through the eyes of a British writer who went to Spain to understand the world of bullfighting by training as a bullfighter himself. This book not only explores the history and ethics of bullfighting but also offers a firsthand account of its dangers, the skills involved, and the contemporary cultural significance of the tradition in Spain.

– **Why it’s relevant:** By presenting a contemporary viewpoint from someone who initially knew little about the practice, Fiske-Harrison offers readers a nuanced perspective that balances the allure and poetry of bullfighting with the ethical questions it raises today. It provides insights into the lives of those involved in bullfighting, from matadors to breeders, giving a holistic view of its current state and societal implications.

### Conclusion
Reading “Death in the Afternoon” will give you a historical foundation, an understanding of the symbolism, and the aesthetic considerations behind bullfighting, as seen through the eyes of one of its most famous aficionados. Following this with “Into The Arena” will bridge that understanding to the present day, revealing how the tradition has evolved and how it is perceived and debated now. Together, these books offer a rich, multifaceted understanding of bullfighting that goes beyond the spectacle, delving into its cultural, ethical, and personal dimensions. Before attending a bullfight, these reads will equip you with a deeper appreciation and a critical lens through which to view and understand the event.