Cristina de la Torre was born in Cuba where she spent her childhood. She lived in Miami's Cuban community for about ten years attending college there as well as in Spain (BA, University of Miami). She holds a doctorate in Spanish literature from Emory University and has traveled extensively in Spanish-speaking countries. She teaches Spanish at Emory University in Atlanta, where she has created courses in the art and practice of translation. She has received various translation awards, including a Howard Foundation Fellowship, and has translated writers including Rosa Montero, Carme Riera, Leonardo Padura, Soledad Puértolas, Eduardo Mendoza, Angeles Mastretta, Bernardo Atxaga, and Jorge Volpi.