On the death of Middle East expert and writer Juan Goytisolo

Juan Goytisolo, one of Spain's most celebrated writers, whose work was banned during the Franco era, has died aged 86. In 2014, his work won him the coveted Cervantes literary prize, Spain's version of the Nobel. Goytisolo built his reputation as a novelist, essayist and poet, always willing to take a non-conformist line. He was known for his defence of the Arab world and for his links with Latin America. Although widely respected today, his work was banned in Spain at the time of General Francisco Franco's military dictatorship.