Description
Gloomy Sunday
Book Summary
A story of mystery, family secrets, and raw emotions set in 1935 Colombia. Anam Betancur, a young artist returning to Cartagena de Indias after studying in Europe, watches her life crumble following the sudden death of her friend Lisabeth Aranday. From that event onward, a chain of unexpected occurrences will plunge her into a turbulent state of mind, while the legendary Hotel del Salto de Tequendama becomes the backdrop for a plot that intertwines mystery, the supernatural, and the dark ties of a prominent family in Cartagena society.
What is it about?
The year is 1935. In a Colombia undergoing profound political and social changes, Anam Betancur returns to her native Cartagena after completing her Fine Arts studies in Europe. She arrives engaged to young Oswaldo Carrier, but her reunion with her friend Lisabeth Aranday triggers a series of tragic events. The sudden and abrupt death of Lisabeth marks a turning point in Anam’s life. From that moment on, the protagonist is dragged into a spiral of unexpected events that push her to the limit of her emotions. With the iconic Hotel del Salto de Tequendama as a backdrop, the story of Anam and her bond with the late Lisabeth is unveiled, immersing the reader in a world of mysteries, supernatural events, and family secrets that will change her perception of everything she thought she knew.
Key Themes
- Mystery and supernatural events surrounding the death of a loved one.
- Family secrets and their impact on future generations.
- The social and political context of Colombia in the 1930s.
- Grief, loss, and the struggle to maintain sanity in the face of the inexplicable.
- The tension between family tradition and the search for personal identity.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers who enjoy mystery novels with a strong emotional and psychological component, set in a Latin American historical context. It is also ideal for those looking for stories that combine family drama with supernatural elements and an immersive atmosphere, similar to Gothic novels but with a Caribbean and Colombian setting.
What this book offers
- An immersion into the historical and social atmosphere of 1935 Colombia, with Cartagena and the Salto de Tequendama as key settings.
- A mystery plot that maintains tension and interest through unexpected twists.
- A profound exploration of human emotions pushed to the extreme by loss and the unknown.
- A narrative that intertwines historical realism with supernatural elements.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Sarmiento, Rosy
- Publisher: Con M de Mujer Editorial SL
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: FICTION AND RELATED ITEMS, MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: CON M DE MUJER
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: April 2023
- Number of pages: 482
- Weight: 595 g
Editorial Review
Gloomy Sunday is a work that successfully combines classic mystery with a historical and social background rarely explored in contemporary fiction. The author builds a dense and oppressive atmosphere, where the supernatural credibly seeps into the life of a protagonist struggling to maintain control. The setting in 1935 Cartagena and the iconic Hotel del Salto de Tequendama provide a visual and symbolic stage that enriches the plot. For readers interested in psychological drama and stories of family secrets with a touch of mystery, this novel offers an absorbing and well-constructed read.