Description
THE SIEGE
Book Summary
A historical crime novel that transports the reader to the Tarragona of 1811, besieged by Napoleonic troops. The author, Auda Gascon, winner of the 37th Vila d'Ascó Narrative Prize, constructs a plot where the horror and barbarity of the Peninsular War become palpable. Through the eyes of the civil governor, a man repudiated by both society and the military, we discover a cluster of adverse situations and real events of extreme gravity. A work that masterfully combines historical rigor with the tension typical of the crime genre.
What is it about?
Tarragona, May 1811. The city is under siege by Napoleonic troops, who are about to isolate it completely from the outside. Amidst this war context, real events of extreme gravity occur that test the resistance of the city and its inhabitants. The protagonist, the civil governor and person in charge of the plaza, finds himself trapped between military pressure and social rejection. The novel explores his challenge to maintain order and humanity amidst the chaos, while discovering that the true threat does not always come from the external enemy. A story that blends documentary rigor with fiction to offer a raw and realistic vision of the Peninsular War.
Main themes
- The Peninsular War and the Napoleonic sieges in Catalonia.
- The conflict between civil and military power in extreme situations.
- The horror and barbarity of war from a human perspective.
- Resistance and survival in a context of total isolation.
- The double social and institutional repression upon a leader in crisis.
Who is it recommended for?
This novel is ideal for readers interested in the history of Catalonia and the Napoleonic wars, especially those looking for a narrative that combines historical rigor with the tension of the crime genre. It is also recommended for those who enjoy stories of survival, power conflicts, and deep psychological portraits in the midst of war.
What does this book offer
- A realistic immersion into a key episode of the Peninsular War in Tarragona.
- A mystery and suspense plot that maintains interest until the last page.
- A complex portrait of a character trapped between duty and social rejection.
- A reflection on the human condition in situations of extreme adversity.
- An award-winning work that guarantees narrative and documentary quality.
Technical specifications
- Author: GASCON, AUDA
- Publisher: COSSETANIA
- Language: cat
- Topic: NAPOLEONIC WAR FICTION
- Collection: NOTES DE COLOR
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: February 2026
- Number of pages: 224
- Weight: 350 g
Editorial review
A novel that stands out for its ability to fuse historical rigor with a dark and absorbing narrative. The context of the Napoleonic siege of Tarragona serves as the setting for a plot that explores the complexity of power, resistance, and the human condition. The work, deserving of the 37th Vila d'Ascó Narrative Prize, offers an intense and well-documented reading that will capture both history lovers and those of the crime genre. Recommended for those looking for a literary experience that combines emotion, reflection, and rigor.