Description
Restlessness in Paradise
Book Summary
In the summer of 1936, the quiet city of Burgos serves as the stage for two parallel and opposing endeavors. While an eccentric lecturer proposes organizing an expedition to Purgatory, inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, a group of military officers conspires to overthrow the Republic's government. Óscar Esquivias weaves a choral novel where the absurd and the adventurous intersect with the gravity of history. The reader witnesses the tension between the fantasy of some and the determination of others, in a tale that captures the atmosphere of a society on the edge of the abyss, combining humor, erudition, and an implacable portrait of Spain prior to the Civil War.
What is it about?
The novel takes place in Burgos during the summer of 1936. At the Teatro Principal’s recreational hall, a lecturer maintains an unusual thesis: Dante Alighieri actually visited Purgatory before writing his masterpiece. Convinced that the Divine Comedy is a literal travel book, he proposes organizing a new excursion to the Afterlife. The idea divides Burgos society into enthusiasts and skeptics, and preparations for the expedition begin with a tone reminiscent of Jules Verne's novels. Parallel to this, the retired General Dávila secretly coordinates an undertaking of a very different nature: the military conspiracy that will trigger the coup d'état against the Republic. Both plots progress in parallel, reflecting two sides of the same reality: the drive for the extraordinary and the raw political determination that will change the country.
Main Themes
- The boundary between reality and fantasy, explored through an imaginary expedition to Purgatory.
- The military conspiracy and the preparations for the coup d'état that began the Spanish Civil War.
- The contrast between the cultural and social life of the Spanish province and the looming political drama.
- The reinterpretation of classic literature (The Divine Comedy) as a source of adventure and speculation.
- The choral portrait of a society divided between naivety, ambition, and historical fatality.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is aimed at readers interested in historical novels who do not shy away from literary experimentation. It is ideal for those seeking a narrative that combines the recreation of 1930s Spain with elements of humor, irony, and a touch of intellectual fantasy. It will also be attractive to fans of Dante's work and plots that explore the absurd and the extraordinary within realistic contexts.
What this book offers
- An original perspective on the days preceding the Civil War, far from the conventional war narrative.
- A dual plot that enriches the reading experience by contrasting the fantastic with the historical.
- A vivid and detailed portrait of Burgos society of the time, with its characters and contradictions.
- A reflection on the power of ideas—both those that elevate the spirit and those that precipitate tragedy.
- Careful and erudite prose that rewards the attentive reader.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Esquivias, Óscar
- Publisher: Ediciones del Viento, S.L.
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Fiction and related topics, Modern and contemporary fiction, Classic fiction, Historical fiction, Spanish Civil War
- Collection: GRAN VIENTO DEL OESTE
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: November 2016
- Number of pages: 400
- Weight: 620 g
Editorial Review
Restlessness in Paradise is a literary proposal that stands out for its originality in juxtaposing two apparently unconnected but deeply symbolic plots. Óscar Esquivias achieves a balance between rigorous historical documentation and overflowing imagination, offering a novel that invites reflection without sacrificing entertainment. The work will be of special interest to those who value narrative that explores the fringes of reality and fiction, as well as readers looking for a different approach to a crucial historical period in Spain.