Description
Silence behind the dream curtain
Book Summary
A novel that captures the creative and destructive energy of a generation. Through the intense relationship between Kay Quirós, a young woman from Madrid's upper bourgeoisie, and Pedro Velasco, a rising Asturian painter, the reader is immersed in a ten-year journey (1967–1977) across settings in Europe and America. Amidst rock music, drugs, and the pursuit of art, this work offers a vibrant and bittersweet portrait of a youth in turmoil searching for its place in a changing world.
What is it about?
The novel narrates the passionate and turbulent story of Kay Quirós and Pedro Velasco. She comes from Madrid's upper bourgeoisie; he is a talented painter from Gijón who is forging his reputation. Their relationship, marked by a free and indomitable spirit, unfolds in a context where drugs, art, and rock and roll set the rhythm of a feverish and romantic existence. The action takes place between 1967 and 1977, with echoes reaching into the present day, and unfolds across settings such as London, Madrid, Asturias, New York, and Anchorage. The plot combines humor, poetry, painting, and espionage, intertwining loves and heartbreaks in a generational adventure that reflects the moral and aesthetic quest of its protagonists.
Main Themes
- The creative and countercultural effervescence of the 1960s and 1970s.
- Love and toxic relationships as a driving force for personal creation and destruction.
- The search for artistic and existential identity in a world in crisis.
- The initiatory journey through iconic cities of Western culture.
- The conflict between bourgeois origins and the aspiration for a free, bohemian life.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in contemporary narrative that explores punk, new wave, and indie culture, as well as stories of self-discovery and intense relationships. It is ideal for those who enjoy novels with a strong atmospheric charge, complex characters, and a very distinct historical and artistic backdrop.
What this book offers
- A vivid and uncompromising generational portrait of the youth of the 60s and 70s.
- An immersion into the world of art, painting, and music as vital forces.
- A story of love and heartbreak that explores the limits of passion and freedom.
- A geographical and emotional journey through key settings of the counterculture.
- A reflection on the search for meaning in an era of profound social change.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Antolín Rato, Mariano
- Publisher: Editorial Pez de Plata
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Punk, New Wave, and Indie, Modern and contemporary fiction
- Collection: Narrativa Pez de Plata
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: November 2017
- Number of pages: 400
- Weight: 524 g
Editorial Review
A novel that stands out for its ability to evoke an era and a state of mind. Antolín Rato's prose succeeds in conveying the intensity and displacement of characters caught between the desire for freedom and the ties of their origins. It is a work that will interest both those looking for a love story with a historical backdrop and fans of narrative that portrays the creative pulse of a generation.