Description
The Refuge of Scoundrels
Book Summary
A coming-of-age novel that immerses the reader in the complex Basque society between 1946 and 2015, woven through a mosaic of characters pitted against each other by inherited hatred. With temporal shifts and an unrelenting narrative pace, Juan Bas explores the senselessness of violence, the cruel stupidity of ETA, and the moral baseness of the GAL, distilling a reflection on reasons of state and its underbelly. A work that hooks you from the first page.
What is it about?
The work narrates the evolution of Basque society over nearly seven decades, from 1946 to 2015, through a wide range of contrasting characters. The plot moves forward through constant jumps in time and a linked structure that maintains a dizzying pace, with no respite for the reader. At the center of the story beats the Shakespearean theme of irresponsible hatred passed from parents to children, a scourge that leads to the destruction of them all. The novel addresses without concessions the senselessness of ETA, the cruel and insular stupidity that marked decades of conflict, as well as the existence of the GAL, with comparable moral baseness. Ultimately, it reflects on reasons of state when navigating the sewers of power.
Main themes
- Inherited hatred and the generational transmission of violence.
- The cruel and autistic stupidity of ETA terrorism.
- The moral baseness of the GAL and parapolice violence.
- Reasons of state and its hidden mechanisms.
- Basque society from the post-war period to the present.
- Gratuitous tragedy and the senselessness of the conflict.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in noir and suspense novels with a historical and social background. Especially indicated for those seeking an agile and complex narrative about the Basque conflict, political violence, and its human consequences, without manichaeism. Also for followers of Juan Bas and contemporary fiction that addresses deep topics with a direct and uncompromising style.
What this book offers
- A multifaceted and unsweetened vision of decades of conflict in the Basque Country.
- An innovative narrative structure that maintains constant tension.
- A deep reflection on how hatred is inherited and destroys people.
- Complex and contrasting characters that avoid manichaeism.
- A fast-paced rhythm that engages from the start.
Technical specifications
- Author: Bas Pérez, Juan
- Publisher: Noir
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction, crime and mystery genre, mystery and suspense work
- Collection: TBD COLLECTION
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: September 2017
- Number of pages: 264
- Weight: 300 g
Editorial review
A novel that stands out for its narrative ambition and its ability to address a thorny subject without falling into simplifications. Juan Bas demonstrates literary maturity by building a complex temporal structure that, far from confusing, accelerates the pace and delves into the psychology of the characters. It is a work that is interesting both for its suspense plot and for its critical look at recent history, ideal for readers looking for substantial and uncompromising fiction.