Description
The Black Smile
Book Summary
An essential work for understanding the post-war period through the eyes of the victims. Anselm Aguadé portrays Francoist repression through two orphaned sisters, trapped in a society marked by fear, vengeance, and the impunity of the victors. A novel that sheds light on one of the darkest periods in recent history.
What is it about?
After the Francoist victory, repression spread throughout the 1950s, especially in the early years, when the victors' impunity allowed for the settling of personal scores and policies of vengeance at all levels of society. In this context, fear became a grim blanket that covered people's daily lives.
The novel shows us this reality through the eyes of two sisters who are orphaned by hatred. They suffer firsthand the contempt of a side that proclaimed itself the winner, but which was aware that its legitimacy came from a bloody, cruel, and useless war that they themselves had started.
Main themes
- Francoist repression during the post-war period and its effects on daily life
- The impunity of the victors and vengeance as a tool for social control
- Fear as a structuring element of post-war society
- The experience of women and families who were victims of repression
- Historical memory and the need not to forget the injustices of the past
Who is it recommended for?
This novel is ideal for readers interested in the contemporary history of the Spanish State, especially the post-war period and Francoist repression. Also for those looking for an emotional and intimate narrative, focused on the perspective of the victims and the experience of fear and survival in a hostile context. Recommended for those who value literature as a tool for historical memory and reflection.
What this book offers
- A human and intimate vision of repression, through the eyes of two orphaned sisters
- A profound reflection on impunity and vengeance as mechanisms of power
- A faithful portrait of post-war society, from daily life to broader political dynamics
- A work that contributes to historical memory and the understanding of a key period
- A narrative that connects emotionally with the reader, thanks to its intimate and human perspective
Technical specifications
- Author: Aguadé i López, Anselm
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: Catalan
- Topic: Modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: Narrative
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: May 2015
- Number of pages: 448
- Weight: 741 g
Editorial review
A necessary novel for anyone who wants to delve into the historical memory of the post-war period from a solid and emotional literary perspective. The author manages to convey the harshness of the repression without falling into sensationalism, and offers a human gaze that connects with the reader. Recommended for those who are looking for a narrative committed to historical truth and deep emotional weight.