Description
Windmills in Brooklyn
Book Summary
In this novel, Prudencio de Pereda salvages his own childhood in 1920s Brooklyn, in the heart of New York's small Spanish colony. Through the eyes of the young narrator, the reader discovers a world of street-corner cigar sellers—the Teverianos—where two antagonistic figures shape his sentimental education: the Grandfather, a gentleman with Quixotic principles, and Agapito, a rogue full of vitality. A work that portrays with tenderness and humor a Hispanic community that lived detached from the American dream, offering a unique testimony of a bygone time and place.
What is it about?
The novel reconstructs the memory of a boy growing up in early 20th-century Brooklyn, immersed in the community of Spanish immigrants. The story revolves around two mentors who represent opposing ways of facing life. The Grandfather embodies dignity, honor, and an almost anachronistic chivalry, while Agapito, a cunning and charismatic Teveriano, infects others with an overflowing, pragmatic joy for living. Through the adventures of this trio and other characters in the community, the work weaves a colorful fresco that speaks of survival, friendship, and the search for identity in an environment that is not one's own.
Main Themes
- Spanish immigration to the United States during the first half of the 20th century.
- Sentimental education through father figures and contrasting life models.
- Nostalgia for a lost world and the construction of childhood memory.
- Picaresque spirit and dignity as two sides of the same coin in the struggle for survival.
- Life in the Hispanic community of Brooklyn, far removed from the myth of the American dream.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is aimed at readers interested in historical fiction and memoir-based narratives, especially those looking for immigration stories with a human focus, far from grand epic tales. It is also recommended for those who appreciate literature that portrays endearing and complex characters, as well as for lovers of coming-of-age novels with a distinct local color.
What this book offers
- A vivid and little-known portrait of the Spanish colony in 1920s New York.
- A reflection on dignity and joy as tools for facing adversity.
- A story of growing up narrated with sensitivity and a touch of humor.
- The recovery of a forgotten novel that offers a unique perspective on the immigrant experience.
- Memorable characters that serve as a mirror for universal values.
Technical Data
- Author: de Pereda, Prudencio
- Publisher: Hoja de Lata Editorial
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CLASSIC FICTION, HISTORICAL FICTION
- Collection: SENSIBLES A LAS LETRAS
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication Date: October 2015
- Number of pages: 228
- Weight: 312 g
Editorial Review
Windmills in Brooklyn is a small jewel rescued from oblivion that successfully combines personal memory with the portrait of a community. Prudencio de Pereda's ability to construct antagonistic yet complementary characters, such as the Grandfather and Agapito, gives the novel a narrative tension that goes beyond the merely anecdotal. His simple and evocative style, along with the authenticity of a world that no longer exists, make it a recommended read for those looking for a narrative with soul, far from the spotlight but full of life and literary truth.