Description
Fantasy for Two Colonels and a Swimming Pool
Book Summary
A novel that combines humor, social commentary, and masterful prose to offer a hilarious X-ray of contemporary Portuguese society. Through eccentric characters and absurd situations, Mário de Carvalho portrays the moment when the old world is fading away and the new one has yet to fully settle in. A work that establishes the author as one of the masters of current European literature.
What is it about?
The plot centers on several characters whose lives intersect in a small community. A retired colonel, determined to build a swimming pool at his house, barely manages to live with his foul-mouthed wife, the baroness. Next door, another retired colonel buys an estate to escape his hippie son, a moocher with artistic pretensions. Joining them is a young dowser and chess player who travels in his Renault 4 while his uncle desperately searches for him to make him retract a speech that could distance him from women. With these elements, the author weaves a choral comedy that is, at the same time, a ruthless and lucid reflection on the social and economic changes that have transformed Europe.
Main themes
- The generational clash and the crisis of values between the old and the new society.
- Social and political criticism of contemporary Portuguese society.
- Everyday absurdity and humor as an analytical tool.
- The economic and cultural transformation of rural and urban Europe.
- Dysfunctional family relationships and class conflicts.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers looking for a high-quality literary novel, with intelligent and corrosive humor, who enjoy choral stories with memorable characters. Ideal for those who appreciate social satire and contemporary European narrative with a unique style and an acute perspective on reality.
What this book offers
- A lucid and amusing vision of the social and economic changes in current Europe.
- Eccentric and perfectly drawn characters that stay in the reader's memory.
- Masterful prose that combines humor with literary depth.
- An entertaining read that invites reflection on the passage of time and the transformation of the world.
Technical specifications
- Author: de Carvalho, Mário
- Publisher: Xordica
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: CARRACHINAS
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: November 2011
- Number of pages: 256
- Weight: 358 g
Editorial review
A novel that stands out for its narrative originality and its ability to combine the most hilarious humor with sharp social criticism. Mário de Carvalho demonstrates absolute mastery of language and character construction, making every page a joy for the discerning reader. A work that not only entertains but also invites reflection on the world we are leaving behind and the one we are building.