Description
ONLY THE MOUNTAINS KNOW
Book Summary
A historical novel that intertwines two eras through a collective poisoning at the Montserrat Monastery. In the 16th century, Friar Mateu Lloret discovers that a supposed typhus epidemic only affects the Catalan monks, while the Castilians remain safe and sound. Centuries later, Irene and Pep investigate this plot of power and resistance, discovering that history, in Catalonia, tends to repeat itself. A work that combines mystery, human instincts, and a reflection on identity.
What is it about?
The narrative is set in the Montserrat Monastery during the reign of Philip II, where a strange typhoid fever decimates the local monks but spares the friars who arrived from Valladolid. Friar Mateu Lloret, a monk not inclined to blind obedience, begins to suspect that it is not a natural disease, but a deliberate plan to eliminate the Catalan religious. Unable to remain impassive, he confronts an uncomfortable truth.
In parallel, in 2010, Irene and Pep investigate the events and follow the footsteps of this friar. Their own experiences and emotions mingle with those of the characters from the past, showing that, despite the time elapsed, political and human tensions remain very much alive. The novel explores how instincts and passions can transcend centuries.
Main themes
- Political and religious conflict in 16th-century Catalonia
- Resistance and obedience in the face of imposed authority
- The cyclical repetition of historical conflicts in Catalonia
- Human instincts and emotions that cross time
- Historical research and the connection between past and present
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in historical novels set in Catalonia, with plots of mystery and political intrigue. Also for those who enjoy stories that connect two different eras and that reflect on identity, power, and collective resistance.
What this book offers
- A critical and documented vision of a little-known episode in the history of Montserrat
- A mystery plot that maintains tension between the past and the present
- A reflection on the persistence of identity conflicts in Catalonia
- Human and imperfect characters, with instincts that make them relatable and credible
Technical sheet
- Author: CORTINA, IMMA
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: Modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: Notes de color
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2015
- Number of pages: 184
- Weight: 403 g
Editorial review
A novel that successfully combines historical rigor and mystery fiction, offering a multifaceted look at a dark episode of the Montserrat monastery. The author manages to maintain interest thanks to the dual timeline and characters who act driven by very human instincts. Recommended for those looking for a read that entertains and at the same time makes you think about the weight of history.