Description
AN ANARCHIST
Book summary
Barcelona, spring of 1977. Miguel Duarte, a twenty-year-old waiter, arrives in the Catalan capital looking for a purpose to overcome his shyness. His life takes a turn when he meets Montse, a student from a wealthy background to whom he feels an irresistible attraction. Through her, he enters the worlds of love, sex, and politics, just as Barcelona is experiencing a rebirth of the anarchist movement that challenges the consensus of the Transition. Between noir fiction and historical chronicle, this novel follows Duarte in his involvement with the libertarian movement, which will drag him toward the Scala case, a real-life episode that would mark the end of that brief spring.
What is it about?
The novel is set in Barcelona in 1977, a city in ferment following the death of Franco. The protagonist, Miguel Duarte, is an enigmatic character: to some, a shadowy figure capable of stabbing a man for revenge; to others, an energetic anti-authoritarian militant. Through his relationship with Montse, the reader witnesses his sentimental and political awakening. The plot tightens as Duarte becomes caught up in the rebirth of the anarchist movement, which clashes with the consensus of the Transition. The events culminate in the Scala case, a real event from January 1978 where the police intelligence services derailed the popular struggle. The work combines noir fiction and historical chronicle, leaving a central question: who was Miguel Duarte really?
Main themes
- The Spanish Transition and the anarchist movement in Barcelona.
- The conflict between political idealism and the reality of street fighting.
- Awakening to love and sex in a context of social unrest.
- Ambiguous identity and double standards in historical and fictional characters.
- Police manipulation and intelligence services during the democratic transition.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in historical fiction with tinges of political and judicial suspense. It is ideal for those seeking a novel that combines a portrait of a turbulent era—the Spanish Transition—with a mystery plot surrounding the identity of a dark character. It will also appeal to those who enjoy works that blend real events with fabrication, and that explore the rebirth of anarchism in 1970s Barcelona.
What this book offers
- An immersion into a little-known episode of the Transition: the Scala case and the repression of the anarchist movement.
- A narrative that combines suspense, historical chronicle, and the psychological development of an ambiguous character.
- A perspective on love and political commitment in a context of radical social change.
- A reflection on the construction of identity and historical memory in times of conflict.
Technical specifications
- Author: Diego Ameixeiras
- Publisher: ED.ALREVES,S.L
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Historical mysteries, political and judicial suspense work, historical fiction
- Collection: Literary
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: June 2024
- Number of pages: 160
- Weight: 442 g
Editorial review
An Anarchist is a novel that manages an effective balance between noir fiction and historical chronicle. Diego Ameixeiras constructs a tense and atmospheric tale that captures the effervescence and violence of post-Franco Barcelona. The figure of Miguel Duarte, deliberately ambiguous, maintains the reader's interest until the end, while the recreation of the Scala case provides a real anchor that enriches the plot. It is a work recommended for those looking for a political thriller with a historical background, without losing sight of the human complexity of its characters.