Description
THE LINEN WOMEN
Book Summary
A deeply moving personal investigation into family roots in the Basque Country that serves as a tribute to the anonymous women who silently wove history. Margarida Aritzeta Abad starts from the figure of Domingo Aritzeta, born in 1643 in Errezil, to delve into exhaustive archival work that reveals a truth hidden for centuries. Through the metaphor of linen and the women who spun it, the author constructs a novel that recovers the names and voices of those who, despite being the connecting thread of generations, were forgotten within the pages of official history.
What is it about?
In 1643, Domingo Aritzeta was born in Errezil, Gipuzkoa, the son of Mariana Aritzeta. The father was not listed. But Mariana was not his mother, nor was the name of the father a secret. The linen women knew it. This novel starts from that point to weave a story that spans centuries, where the women who spun linen every dawn—similar but no two alike—were the guardians of family truths. Girls who learned to spin, women who prepared their dowries and married, spinsters and widows who remained year after year until they died. And when they were no longer there, others came, and everyone forgot their names. The author, through rigorous archival research, unearths these silenced stories and builds a narrative that mixes fiction and documentary reality to give a voice to those women who, like linen, have been the invisible fabric of family memory.
Main Themes
- Feminine historical memory and the silenced role of women in the transmission of family legacy.
- Genealogical research as a tool to unveil family secrets and reconstruct identities.
- The work of linen as a metaphor for the thread of life and the connection between generations.
- Oral tradition and shared knowledge among women as a counterweight to official history.
- Basque roots and cultural identity tied to the land and families.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in historical novels based on real research, especially those focusing on genealogy and the recovery of feminine memory. Also for those who enjoy stories about family secrets, cultural roots, and the role of women throughout history. Recommended for readers of contemporary fiction with a strong documentary component and for those seeking a narrative that connects the past with the present through forgotten voices.
What this book offers
- A unique perspective on the history of the Basque Country through the eyes of the women who were its silent protagonists.
- An example of how archival research can be transformed into an emotional and revelatory novel.
- A reflection on the importance of recovering and preserving feminine memory in the construction of family identity.
- A narrative that connects the reader with the traditions and ways of life of the past, especially the work of linen.
Technical Specifications
- Author: ARITZETA ABAD, MARGARIDA
- Publisher: COSSETANIA
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: NOTES DE COLOR
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: February 2024
- Number of pages: 240
- Weight: 363 g
Editorial Review
A work that successfully combines historical research and fictional narrative to give a voice to the women whom official history has silenced. The author constructs a tale that challenges the reader regarding the importance of memory and roots, while offering an intimate and documented look at life in the Basque Country of the 17th century. Recommended for those looking for a read that goes beyond entertainment and invites reflection on the role of women in the transmission of family legacy.