Tamara Trottner is not merely the celebrated author of "Nadie nos vio partir" (No One Saw Us Leave), the poignant novel that inspired a compelling Netflix series; she is also a survivor whose harrowing childhood experience forms the very core of the story. The Mexican writer’s deeply personal narrative details a mother’s desperate quest to reunite with her children, a struggle rooted in revenge, family secrets, and patriarchal power, yet it is a tale Trottner herself lived as one of those abducted children.
At the age of 61, Trottner recalls the trauma that shaped her foundational work with a profound sense of serenity. Her own father kidnapped her and her brother, separating them from their mother for two arduous years. This ordeal began under the guise of a trip, but soon devolved into a disorienting flight across multiple countries, including France and Israel, leaving them without answers about their mother, pets, or school.
“He kidnapped us for two years. At first, we thought it was a trip, but later we asked about mom, my dog, my school, and no one answered,” she recounted in an interview on the "De dientes para adentro" YouTube channel. This experience of constant displacement and emotional void is powerfully mirrored in the Netflix series through the journey of "Valeria Goldberg" (Tessa Ía), who battles to reclaim her children after their abduction by Leo Saltzman (Emiliano Zurita).
Trottner’s novel, released in 2020, garnered widespread praise for its emotional depth and intricate literary structure, drawing readers into a story born from the author’s own life. Her journey from childhood trauma to acclaimed novelist is marked by significant academic and professional achievements. Born in Mexico City, she pursued communication sciences at Universidad Anáhuac, later earning a Master’s degree in Literary Appreciation and Creation from Casa Lamm and a Doctorate in Literary Research and Creation with a specialization in the novel.
These extensive studies have cemented Trottner’s reputation as a formidable voice in contemporary Mexican literature, a fact highlighted by media outlets like El Comercio. Beyond her writing, Trottner actively directs the publishing house ‘Punto y Aparte,’ which focuses on art books and cultural publications. Her literary career also includes her first collection of short stories, ‘Un último pedazo de bruma,’ published in 2001, and her debut novel, released in 2008. She continues to share her passion for books on the radio program ‘Recomendación para leer,’ alongside journalist Iñaki Manero.
Regarding the adaptation of her work, Trottner emphasizes that "Nadie nos vio partir" is not a narrative of heroes or villains, but rather one of "wounds that take a lifetime to close." She firmly believes the Netflix series does not supersede the original book but instead “perpetuates it in another dimension and enriches it emotionally.”
Married with three children and a recent grandmother, Tamara Trottner has navigated a path of reconciliation with her past, embracing its lessons without letting them define her entirely. Her name has now become synonymous with more than just literature; it stands as a powerful symbol for a generation of women who have found the strength and dignity to narrate their pain.