Description
POST MORTEM SONATA
Book Summary
A literary work that explores the limits of consciousness in the face of imminent death. The protagonist, sensing his end is near, composes a sonata to be performed after his death, when his ashes are scattered in the Aegean Sea. Through a dialogue with a young flutist, the reader witnesses a profound critical assessment of a life, weaving together reflections on history, religion, identity, and memory within the urban setting of Bilbao.
What is it about?
The novel chronicles the creative and existential process of a man who, aware of his proximity to the end, dedicates himself to composing a sonata for transverse flute. His intention is for this piece to be performed posthumously, at the exact moment his ashes are scattered in the waters of the Aegean Sea. To do so, he relies on the collaboration of a young flutist, with whom he maintains a recurring dialogue in which he insistently reminds her of her task.
Through their conversations, which take place between the protagonist's apartment and a small nearby park in the center of Bilbao, the character weaves a coherent discourse that combines past and present, the near and the far, the abstract and the concrete. The work addresses a wide variety of themes: the meaning of history, agnosticism, otherness, ignorance, congenital brutality, entropy, false gods, religion, ideology, exile, corruption among compatriots, economic hardship, and the loss of memory. In essence, it is the final critical assessment of a life and, at the same time, of the system the protagonist has developed to understand the world, all wrapped in the delirium and wandering of a man in his agony.
Main Themes
- Death and artistic legacy as the final act of existence.
- Dialogue as a vehicle for philosophical and existential reflection.
- Memory, exile, and personal identity in the context of contemporary history.
- Critique of religion, ideology, and social corruption from an agnostic perspective.
- The relationship between art, music, and spiritual transcendence.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is aimed at readers interested in literary narrative with high philosophical and existential content. It is especially recommended for those who appreciate modern and contemporary fiction that explores the human condition, memory, and the meaning of life through poetic and reflective language. It will also appeal to scholars of Basque literature and those looking for a novel that combines introspection, social criticism, and profound musical symbolism.
What this book offers
- A deep immersion into the psychology of a character on the brink of death, offering a unique perspective on the assessment of a life.
- An original reflection on art as a final act and music as a vehicle for transcendence.
- An exploration of universal themes such as identity, memory, and social critique from a sharp and personal perspective.
- A reading experience that combines narrative with the philosophical essay, in a carefully crafted and evocative literary style.
Technical Specifications
- Author: ERTZILLA, J.M.
- Publisher: EL GALLO DE ORO
- Language: Basque
- Subject: LITERARY STUDIES: FICTION, NOVELISTS AND PROSE WRITERS, MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: GALLO VERDE (OUT OF COLLECTION)
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: February 2024
- Number of pages: 212
- Weight: 378 g
Editorial Review
POST MORTEM SONATA presents itself as a singular work within the landscape of contemporary fiction in Basque. Its proposal, which fuses existential reflection with strong musical symbolism, offers an intense and demanding read. The author constructs an interior monologue that unfolds into dialogue, achieving a balance between philosophical abstraction and the concreteness of the urban settings of Bilbao. For the reader who seeks a narrative that transcends mere plot and delves into fundamental questions about life, death, and art, this novel represents a literary endeavor of great depth and originality.