Description
THE DEAD WOMEN
Book summary
A novel that won the 2024 Sebastià Juan Arbó Literary Prize, blending realism, mystery, and spirituality. With evocative prose, the author unearths the memories of a family of "indians" (returning emigrants from the Americas) in early 20th-century Barcelona, through the spirit of a woman who returns to accompany the soul of her former ward. A work that explores family tensions, silenced secrets, and the presence of the afterlife in everyday life.
What is it about?
One day in November 1989, the spirit of Madrona returns to take away the soul of Felicitat, a woman who is dying. From that moment on, Felicitat’s life is unveiled, and with it, the history of her family: "indians" settled in early 20th-century Barcelona. The grudges between her and her sister Amèrica are revealed, as well as the silences and some of the family secrets that had remained buried. At the same time, Madrona and her daughter Tuietes, former spiritualists and fighters in a turbulent Barcelona, remain faithful to the girls they once cared for. As a silent witness to it all, a macaw observes these fleeting and intense lives.
Main themes
- Family memory and generational secrets
- Spirituality and the presence of the afterlife in daily life
- Early 20th-century Barcelona and the figure of the "indians"
- Sisterly relationships marked by rivalry and silence
- Female resistance and struggle in a turbulent historical context
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in historical and family novels with a touch of magical realism and spirituality. Recommended for those who enjoy stories that blend the past and present through memory, human relationships, and lingering secrets. Also for followers of contemporary Catalan literature who are looking for award-winning works with a unique narrative voice.
What this book offers
- An intimate and emotional vision of early 20th-century Barcelona through a family of "indians".
- A story that combines historical realism with spiritual and mystery elements.
- A reflection on the weight of family secrets and how grudges can shape generations.
- The presence of strong female characters, such as the spiritualists Madrona and Tuietes, who fight in an adverse context.
- Careful and evocative prose, characteristic of a work awarded a prestigious literary prize.
Technical specifications
- Author: LOVAINA I RUIZ, M. VICTORIA
- Publisher: COSSET·NIA
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: NOTES DE COLOR
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2025
- Number of pages: 216
- Weight: 340 g
Editorial review
A novel that successfully combines historical realism with a spiritual dimension, offering a profound and emotional read. The author constructs a plot that captivates with its unsettling atmosphere and the complexity of its characters. The presence of the macaw as a silent witness adds a poetic and symbolic touch that enriches the narrative. A work recommended for those looking for a story that transcends time and explores family wounds with sensitivity.