Description
THE NAMES OF THE COWS AND OTHER STORIES
Book Summary
This work gathers the winning story of the 18th Tinet Internet Short Narrative Prize, "The Names of the Cows," by Nela Miralles i Puyol, accompanied by a selection of the best stories presented at the contest. The main narrative follows Joana, who grows up in a rural world shaken by war, as she watches the people she loves die and loses her innocence. Set between the Mas Vaquer farmhouse and the Guenyo hut, the story offers an intimate and moving look at loss and memory.
What is it about?
The book focuses on the winning story, which explains the life of Joana, a girl growing up in a rural environment marked by war. Through her eyes, the reader witnesses the death of her mother and her brother Sebastià, as she describes a world that vanishes between the Mas Vaquer farmhouse and the Guenyo hut. The narrative is a portrait of the loss of innocence and the hardship of life in times of conflict. Furthermore, the volume includes a selection of the best stories from the prize, which expand the themes with diverse voices and narrative styles.
Main themes
- The loss of childhood innocence during wartime.
- Memory and the recollection of a transforming rural world.
- Grief and coping with the death of loved ones.
- Life in the countryside and family ties in a context of war.
- Narrative diversity in contemporary short fiction.
Who is it recommended for?
Recommended for readers interested in short fiction in Catalan, especially those looking for intimate and emotional stories set in rural environments. Also for those who want to discover award-winning works from literary contests and who enjoy fiction that explores historical memory and personal experiences in difficult times.
What this book offers
- An immersion in the sensitivity of a childhood marked by war and loss.
- Access to a selection of award-winning stories, representative of current short narrative.
- A reflection on identity and the bond with the land and family.
- The opportunity to discover new literary voices in the Catalan language.
Technical specifications
- Author: MIRALLES I PUYOL, NELA; CARLES FÈLIX, CARME; RAMÍREZ RODRÍGUEZ, ANTONI; DUCH CASANOVA, FRANCESC; FOLCH I
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: cat
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: NARRATIVE
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: October 2015
- Number of pages: 104
- Weight: 172 g
Editorial review
An anthology that combines the winning story of a literary prize with a selection of tales that enrich the whole. The main narrative stands out for its ability to evoke a lost world with sensitivity and depth, while the additional stories offer a varied sample of contemporary short fiction. A recommended book for those looking for short but intense readings, with a strong emotional component and a connection to the Catalan rural tradition.