Description
Lena
Book Summary
A crime novel that transcends the genre to become a story of obsessive and fatal love. Martín, a young man who decides to become a hitman to win over Lena, an enigmatic and self-destructive writer. The reader will accompany this hitman, known as Knopfler, on a journey through the underworld of Barcelona, where crime and passion intertwine in a spiral of violence and devotion. A work that explores how far a man can go for love, questioning the limits of morality and sanity.
What is it about?
The novel chronicles the life of Martín, who, since the age of twelve, has been captivated by Lena, a young woman who becomes the center of his existence. Convinced that he must pay a price to be with her, Martín enters the world of crime, becoming a hitman under the alias Knopfler. His encounter with the Posibilist, a mysterious character, seals his fate. Over the years, Martín carries out deadly assignments while his obsession with Lena—a fatal writer loved and reviled by those around her—only continues to grow. The plot unfolds in a recognizable Barcelona, full of nods to culture and real-life figures, creating a tale where sick love and violence are two sides of the same coin.
Main Themes
- Obsessive and destructive love as the driving force of the plot.
- The morality of the hitman and the justification of crime for love.
- The darkest and most marginal side of Barcelona as a literary setting.
- The figure of the fatal muse and the relationship between the creator and their work.
- Fate and chance as forces that determine the lives of the characters.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers of crime and detective novels who look for plots with a strong psychological and emotional weight, beyond the resolution of a crime. It is also ideal for those who enjoy stories of forbidden love and morally ambiguous characters, as well as for followers of contemporary Spanish narrative with a polished literary style and dense atmospheres.
What this book offers
- An original perspective on the noir genre, where the hitman is the protagonist and his motivation is romantic love.
- A vivid and literary portrait of Barcelona, which becomes another character in the story.
- A deep reflection on the limits of obsession and the nature of sacrifice.
- An immersive narrative that combines thriller action with psychological introspection.
Technical Details
- Author: Vázquez Sallés, Daniel
- Publisher: Editorial Alrevés
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CRIME AND MYSTERY GENRE, MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE WORK
- Collection: CRIME NOVEL
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: December 2017
- Number of pages: 240
- Weight: 283 g
Editorial Review
A solid entry in the contemporary crime novel catalog. Daniel Vázquez Sallés builds a story that captivates with its original premise and oppressive atmosphere. The work stands out for the complexity of its characters, especially that of Martín/Knopfler, whose evolution is the true axis of the narrative. It is a recommended read for those looking for a psychological thriller with a strong, dark romantic component, far removed from the more conventional structures of the genre.