Description
WATERS OF FREEDOM
Book Summary
An award-winning novel that intertwines the destinies of three characters in the 19th century, in a story that spans the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The reader will accompany Bakari, an African teenager trapped by slavery; Andreu, a young Catalan man who emigrates to Cuba in search of fortune; and Rosa, a widow who must manage a sugar plantation. Through their experiences, the work explores the struggle for dignity, moral dilemmas, and the yearning for freedom in an era of profound inequality.
What is it about?
The novel, winner of the XIV Premi de Narrativa Marítima Vila de Cambrils Josep Lluís Savall 2024, delves into the intertwined lives of three characters during the 19th century. Bakari, an African teenager, is captured and subjected to the brutality of slavery, though he never loses the hope of regaining his dignity. On the other hand, Andreu, a young Catalan man, begins a journey to Havana filled with dreams of prosperity, never imagining the moral conflicts that await him. Finally, Rosa, a woman who has been widowed, inherits a sugar plantation in Cuba and struggles to maintain the business in a hostile environment. With an intense and human portrait, the work addresses the cruelty of slavery, the desire for freedom, and the complexity of the bonds between different cultures and social classes in an era marked by inequality.
Main themes
- The struggle for freedom and dignity against the oppression of slavery.
- Moral dilemmas and the clash of values in emigration and colonialism.
- Female empowerment in an adverse historical context.
- Social and cultural inequalities in the 19th century.
- The links between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean through maritime narrative.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is recommended for readers interested in historical fiction with a strong social and human component. It is ideal for those looking for novels that address slavery, emigration, and power dynamics from an intimate and well-documented perspective. It will also be attractive to those who enjoy choral stories with complex characters and plots that cross continents.
What this book offers
- A deep and human vision of slavery and the struggle for freedom in the 19th century.
- A plot that connects the Catalan reality with the Cuban one, offering a transatlantic historical perspective.
- Well-developed characters who represent different facets of the same era of inequality.
- A reflection on moral dilemmas and difficult decisions in contexts of oppression.
- The recognition of a literary award that guarantees the quality of the maritime and historical narrative.
Technical specifications
- Author: CANAMASES GUITART, CRISTINA
- Publisher: COSSET·NIA
- Language: cat
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: NOTES DE COLOR
- Publication date: March 2025
- Number of pages: 248
- Weight: 360 g
Editorial review
This is a novel that combines historical rigor with an emotional and well-constructed narrative. The author manages to give a voice to characters of different origins and backgrounds, offering a multifaceted look at slavery and emigration. It is a work that may interest both followers of maritime narrative and readers looking for stories of personal growth and social awareness. The fact that it has been awarded a specialized prize reinforces its quality within the genre.