Description
THE LIGHTNING AND THEN THE THUNDER
Book summary
Javier Pillastre bursts onto the literary scene with a collection of eleven short stories that explore the cracks in human existence. With sharp, precise prose, the author constructs a universe where beauty, pain, war, and death intertwine in unexpected ways. Each story is a precision shot that wounds the reader in a mysterious way, leaving an indelible mark. This volume offers an intense and disturbing narrative experience, ideal for those seeking literature that defies conventions and explores the limits of reality.
What is it about?
The eleven stories that make up this book are brief pieces but of great emotional and conceptual density. In them, the author plays with memory, desires, and human obsessions. A man receives an orange and discovers a dark family secret. In Ledesma, longings take on a category more real than reality itself, and memory appropriates the memories of others. An aspiring porn star immerses herself in the infinite universe contained within a single word. Each story is a journey into the unknown, where the everyday transforms into something unsettling and the extraordinary becomes plausible.
Main themes
- The fragility of memory and its ability to distort reality.
- Latent violence and death as constant presences in daily life.
- Desire as a driver of transformation and self-knowledge.
- The beauty that emerges from the most painful or absurd situations.
- The exploration of the boundaries between the real and the imaginary.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers of contemporary fiction who appreciate high-quality short narrative. It is ideal for those who enjoy authors who master the short story, such as Julio Cortázar or Alice Munro, and seek lyrical yet forceful prose. It is also attractive to those interested in stories that explore human psychology and the paradoxes of existence, without fear of venturing into uncomfortable or disturbing territories.
What this book offers
- A collection of stories that invite reflection and remain in the reader's mind long after they have been read.
- An original and powerful narrative voice, combining surgical precision with poetic sensitivity.
- An intense and concentrated reading experience, perfect for those with little time who are looking for literary quality.
- A unique look at universal themes such as death, desire, and memory, from a fresh and contemporary perspective.
Technical specifications
- Author: PILLASTRE, JAVIER
- Publisher: EDITORIAL PEZ DE PLATA,S.L
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: NARRATIVA PEZ DE PLATA
- Publication date: May 2022
- Number of pages: 192
- Weight: 342 g
Editorial review
"The Lightning and Then the Thunder" presents itself as a high-impact literary debut. Javier Pillastre demonstrates an exceptional command of the short story, managing to make each tale function like a clockwork mechanism that explodes in the reader's mind. The work stands out for its ability to combine the lyrical with the visceral, creating atmospheres that capture the reader from the very first line. It is a recommended read for those looking for a daring and memorable narrative proposal that is not afraid to explore the darkest and most luminous zones of the human condition.