Description
FROM THE COUNTESS'S POWDERS TO THE MADRID OF HANGED HEADS
Book Summary
A fascinating journey through the most unusual and unknown history of the Community of Madrid. Antonio Balduque dusts off anecdotes, legends, and unique characters who inhabited the region, from prisoners and the hanged to dandies and courtesans. The reader will discover the origin of everyday expressions such as "irse al quinto pino" (to go to the back of beyond) or "matar el gusanillo" (to take the edge off one's hunger), while traveling through landscapes where the real and the picturesque merge to offer an alternative view of the Madrid of the past.
What is it about?
Antonio Balduque acts as a guide on a journey through the Community of Madrid via its historical stagecoaches and paths. The book reveals a universe populated by characters as diverse as pious women, dandies, Jesuits, fops, queens, bandits, duelists, prisoners, harquebusiers, and courtesans. Each stop reveals a surprising episode: people with their throats slit in Somosierra, the hanged in El Berrueco, malaria sufferers in Aranjuez, duelists in El Retiro, or Mamelukes at the Puerta del Sol. In addition, the work unravels the true meaning of popular expressions such as "dorar la píldora" (to sugarcoat), "dormir la siesta" (to take a nap), or "carne de cañón" (cannon fodder), offering a narrative where official history intermingles with oral tradition and urban legends of the time.
Main themes
- Real stories and legends of the Community of Madrid
- Marginal and popular historical figures (prisoners, bandits, courtesans)
- Etymological and anecdotal origin of Spanish colloquial expressions
- Historical geography of Madrid's paths, stagecoach stops, and landscapes
- Social transformation from the 18th to the 19th century: from pious women to dandies
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in the local history of Madrid and its Community from an enjoyable and informative perspective. It will also be attractive to those who enjoy unusual historical anecdotes, linguistic curiosities, and tales of eccentric characters. It is ideal for locals and visitors who wish to discover a hidden and picturesque side of the region, as well as for enthusiasts of microhistory and popular traditions.
What this book offers
- A deep and entertaining knowledge of the unofficial history of Madrid
- The discovery of the origin of everyday Spanish expressions
- An alternative guide to touring historical sites with new stories to tell
- A vivid vision of daily life and characters of past centuries
- A read that combines informative rigor with an agile and surprising narrative style
Technical specifications
- Author: Antonio Balduque Álvarez
- Publisher: Bao Bilbao Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Real stories, modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: Encuentros con
- Publication date: February 2022
- Number of pages: 200
- Weight: 550 g
Editorial review
A work that successfully manages to bridge the gap between historical erudition and the pleasure of curious reading. Balduque demonstrates a meticulous knowledge of Madrid's geography and "intrahistory," presenting it with an enjoyable style that avoids academic dryness. The book is especially valuable for those seeking a different perspective of Madrid, away from the grand monuments and focused on the small stories that shape its popular character. It is a recommended read for both residents and travelers with an exploratory spirit.