Description
ARRAIANOS. 10TH ANNIVERSARY ED.
Book Summary
A work that has marked a turning point in contemporary Galician narrative. On the blurred border between inland Galicia and northern Portugal, the mist unsettles both people and animals, and the "arraianos" wear down ancient paths. Ten dark, phantasmagorical tales traverse horror, magical realism, and the legends of a territory without an owner, from the Carlist Wars to the Franco regime. A modern classic celebrating its tenth anniversary.
What is it about?
The work delves into the lives of the "arraianos," the inhabitants of the Spanish-Portuguese border known as "La Raya" (The Strip). Through ten independent stories connected by the territory, the author explores how the capricious mist and the history of smugglers, fugitives, and clashing armies shape the destiny of their characters. Each story moves through horror and magical realism, addressing historical episodes such as the First Carlist War and the Franco regime, while unveiling the legends of witches, the possessed, and apparitions that populate this no-man's-land.
Main Themes
- The border as a physical and symbolic space of identity and conflict.
- Magical realism and the fantastic rooted in Galician and Portuguese oral tradition.
- The historical memory of rural Spain from the 19th century to the Franco regime.
- The influence of nature (mist, cobblestone paths) on human and animal behavior.
- Smuggling, transience, and territorial dispute as narrative axes.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in contemporary Galician narrative, magical realism, and psychological horror stories with a historical background. Also for those seeking a literary exploration of border identity and the legends of the northwestern peninsula, as well as for fans of authors like Álvaro Cunqueiro or Rafael Dieste.
What this book offers
- An immersion into a unique literary territory, where the border becomes a character.
- Ten stories that combine historical rigor with a phantasmagorical atmosphere and magical realism.
- A profound vision of the legends and traditions of inland Galicia and northern Portugal.
- A special anniversary edition that consolidates the work as a modern classic of Spanish-language literature.
- A reading that challenges the boundaries between the real and the supernatural, enriching the understanding of local history.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Mendez Ferrin, Xose Luis
- Publisher: Hoja de Lata Editorial
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: Los 10 de los 10
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: March 2023
- Number of pages: 224
- Weight: 413 g
Editorial Assessment
This anniversary edition celebrates a work that has been recognized with the Critics' Award in Galicia, the Spanish Critics' Award, and the Losada Diéguez Award, establishing itself as a benchmark of contemporary Galician narrative. The combination of magical realism, horror, and historical memory offers a dense and evocative literary experience, ideal for those seeking a read that transcends genre and explores the cultural roots of a border territory. The hardcover edition and careful editorial design reinforce the value of this work for collectors and new readers.