Description
(CAT).BLACK MEMORY.(COLOR NOTES)
Book Summary
A novel that transports the reader to 19th-century El Masnou, where an elderly man recalls the summer of 1845, a turning point in his life. At that time, the protagonist was a teenager obsessed with crossing the Atlantic to make his fortune. Through a flashback, the narrative uncovers the adventures that led him to embark and encounter the darker reality of navigation and maritime trade. The work offers a portrait of the figure of the "indianos" and reveals little-known secrets about some ships from the Maresme region, providing a critical and human look at ambition and the colonial past.
What is it about?
The story begins in a town on the Catalan coast, where an old man, the protagonist, begins to remember his past. Memory takes him directly to the summer of 1845, when he was a restless and dreamy adolescent with a single desire: to embark for America in search of wealth. From that moment on, the novel recounts his experiences aboard ships traveling the Americas route, focusing on the darkest side of this maritime traffic. The author describes in detail the living conditions, power relations, and questionable practices that took place on those voyages. Parallel to this, the reality of the "indianos" is portrayed—those Catalans who made their fortune overseas and returned, often with an idealized image that hid a more complex and, at times, cruel truth. The novel is a journey into personal and collective memory, where adventure is mixed with social denunciation and reflection on colonialism and slavery.
Main themes
- Historical memory and nostalgia: the recollection of a past that defines the protagonist's present.
- Colonialism and imperialism: the influence and consequences of Catalan overseas expansion.
- Slavery and abolition: the hidden reality of maritime trade and its inhumane practices.
- The figure of the "indianos": the myth and reality of the emigrants who returned from America.
- Maturity and loss of innocence: the passage from adolescence to adulthood through experience.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is recommended for readers interested in historical fiction set in the 19th century, especially those who want a critical and non-idealized vision of the Catalan colonial past. It is also suitable for those who enjoy coming-of-age stories and initiatory journeys, where maritime adventure serves as a backdrop for a deep reflection on morality and society. Finally, it is an ideal read for those seeking a narrative that connects personal memory with the collective history of the Maresme coast.
What this book offers
- A documented and realistic vision of navigation and maritime trade in the Maresme in the 19th century.
- A human and complex portrait of the "indianos" figure, far from the usual clichés.
- A deep reflection on the consequences of colonialism and slavery.
- An immersive narrative that combines the physical journey with the internal journey of the protagonist.
- The discovery of a local historical episode (El Masnou) with universal resonances.
Technical specifications
- Author: VANCELLS, MIREIA
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: cat
- Topic: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, COLONIALISM AND IMPERIALISM, SLAVERY AND ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
- Collection: COLOR NOTES
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: May 2013
- Number of pages: 240
- Weight: 525 g
Editorial review
A novel that stands out for its ability to weave a personal story with a little-explored historical context. The author offers a lucid and uncompromising look at the colonial past, avoiding idealization and delving into the contradictions of her characters. The flashback narration and the detailed setting of 1845 El Masnou immerse the reader in an era and experiences that, despite being local, speak to universal themes such as ambition, guilt, and the price of memory. Recommended for those looking for a read that combines adventure with historical and social reflection.