Description
Sea Water
Book Summary
Immerse yourself in a universe of stories where gastronomy and the sea intertwine with the darkest human passions. In "Aigua de mar" (Sea Water), Jordi Cervera Nogués weaves seven intriguing stories featuring cooks, inspectors, and diners whose lives revolve around the kitchen. From a medieval cook savoring a fleeting triumph to a boy seeking maturity on a mast, each tale is an exploration of obsessions, grudges, and secrets. Winner of the 9th Vila de Cambrils Josep Lluís Savall Maritime Narrative Prize, this book offers an absorbing read that combines suspense with a rich culinary and maritime backdrop.
What is it about?
The book brings together seven independent stories that share food and the sea as a common thread. In them, the author explores the complexities of the human condition through situations revolving around the kitchen and life at sea. You will meet a food critic haunted by his past, an idolater who classifies people like fish species, a couple attending a film premiere where bloodstains are cleverly camouflaged, and a cooking school director who rejects modernity to hide his resentments. Each story is an independent piece that invites reflection on themes such as obsession, hypocrisy, and the search for identity, all wrapped in an atmosphere of intrigue and mystery.
Main themes
- Obsession and its consequences on personal and professional life.
- The sea as a symbolic stage and source of narrative inspiration.
- Gastronomy as a vehicle to explore human relationships and internal conflicts.
- The past as a burden that conditions the present and one's conduct.
- Hypocrisy and pharisaism in social and professional interactions.
- The search for maturity and identity through extreme experiences.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is recommended for fans of short stories who seek plots with a touch of suspense and psychological depth. It is ideal for readers interested in narratives that link gastronomy with the human condition, as well as those who enjoy stories set in maritime environments. It will also appeal to followers of contemporary Catalan literature and those who appreciate works honored with maritime narrative awards.
What this book offers
- Seven independent stories that offer a versatile and fragmented reading experience, ideal for reading at any time.
- An original perspective that combines gastronomy with mystery and psychological introspection.
- An immersion into the maritime and culinary universe, with descriptions and atmospheres that transport the reader.
- Reflections on universal themes such as obsession, identity, and hypocrisy, presented in an enjoyable and entertaining way.
- The recognition of a literary award that validates the quality of the work within its genre.
Technical specifications
- Author: CERVERA NOGUES,JORDI
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: cat
- Topic: SHORT STORIES
- Collection: NOTES DE COLOR
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: April 2020
- Number of pages: 160
- Weight: 350 g
Editorial review
"Aigua de mar" is a solid offering within contemporary short narrative in Catalan. The work stands out for its ability to weave independent plots that nonetheless share a common atmosphere and themes that bind them together. The author demonstrates a strong command of suspense and introspection, offering the reader stories that go beyond mere anecdote to delve into the psychology of their characters. For those seeking a read that combines entertainment with a certain depth, this book represents a recommended option, especially for those with an interest in cooking and the sea as narrative elements.