Description
Dubious Paths
Book Summary
A criminal road movie that combines political thriller, black comedy, and social critique in the Valencian lands. Three young people set out on a graduation trip to Italy, while a former convict, fresh out of prison, plans to take revenge on a powerful builder with mafia and political connections. When their paths cross by accident, a wild chase begins with fateful consequences. Set during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Valencia and the tragic 2006 metro accident, the novel moves with the pace of a Coen brothers film, combining rowdy humor, growing tension, and an unexpected ending.
What is it about?
Three college friends decide to embark on a wild trip to Italy to try and rekindle a romantic relationship one of them had with an Erasmus student. Meanwhile, an inmate is released on parole from Fontcalent prison with the goal of taking revenge on the former partner who betrayed him and who, during his years of sentencing, has become one of the most prosperous builders in the Valencian Country, a businessman involved in the dirty dealings of the ruling party and connected to the Russian mafia. Through a series of misfortunes, the paths of the ex-convict and the three friends cross accidentally, triggering a chase that will have resounding repercussions and a tragic outcome.
Main themes
- Political and economic corruption in the Valencian Country during the real estate bubble
- Revenge and private justice as a narrative engine
- Youthful friendship, love, and initiation journey in a dangerous context
- Social critique and black humor in extreme situations
- Road movie set in the real-life scenery of 2006 Valencia
Who is it recommended for?
- For readers of crime novels and thrillers who appreciate plots with political and social critique, with an agile and lighthearted tone. Also for those who enjoy stories that combine black humor, road movie elements, and cinematic references, especially fans of the Coen brothers' cinema. Ideal for those looking for an entertaining read with an underlying message of denunciation, set in a recognizable Valencian context.
What this book offers
- A multifaceted plot that intertwines revenge, corruption, and youthful adventure with a cinematic pace.
- A critical and acerbic vision of the abuses of power and the collusion between politics, construction, and the mafia.
- A portrait of customs that is both realistic and grotesque of 2006 Valencia, with real historical events as a backdrop.
- A fast-paced reading experience, with unexpected twists and a surprising ending that hooks you from the first page.
Technical sheet
- Author: Ventura, Joan Carles
- Publisher: Novela negra
- Language: cat
- Topic: CRIME AND MYSTERY GENRE
- Collection: CRIMS.CAT
- Publication date: November 2018
- Number of pages: 320
- Weight: 563 g
Editorial review
Dubious Paths is an original proposal within the Catalan crime genre, which opts for a grotesque and cinematic tone without losing critical rigor. Joan Carles Ventura builds a choral plot where rowdy comedy and political denunciation coexist naturally, offering an agile and entertaining read. The novel may be of particular interest to those looking for a different thriller with its own personality, rooted in the Valencian territory, which knows how to combine entertainment and social reflection.