Description
RABASSA MORTA
Book Summary
A historical novel that transports the reader to the rural Catalonia of the second half of the 19th century, a period marked by profound social conflicts between the peasantry and large landowners. Anselmo Aguadé recounts the struggle of the rabassaires, farmers subject to emphyteutic contracts linked to the lifespan of the vines, who face their masters to claim the release from ground rents and access to land ownership. Through the figure of Daniel, a rabassaire caught between tradition and the need for change, the work offers a vivid portrait of an irreconcilable society, combining tragedy, humor, and a social critique that resonates with the labor movements of the Industrial Revolution.
What is it about?
Set in the second half of the 19th century, the novel focuses on the serious social conflicts that erupted in the Catalan countryside with the arrival of phylloxera, a plague that devastated the vineyards and aggravated pre-existing tensions. Large landowners considered the rabassa morta contracts—which granted cultivation rights to farmers as long as the vines lived—to be harmful. For their part, the rabassaires, in a situation close to semi-slavery, fought to free themselves from the rents and gain access to ownership. The story follows Daniel, a rabassaire who, in order to achieve his goals, is forced to confront his master using methods similar to those of industrial labor agitation. The plot, agile and spirited, maintains interest until the end, weaving a series of rural characters into a tragic narrative with touches of humor.
Main themes
- Social conflict and class struggle in the 19th-century Catalan rural environment.
- The rabassa morta as an emphyteutic contract system and its impact on the peasantry.
- The phylloxera crisis and its consequences for the agrarian structure.
- Peasant resistance and the pursuit of emancipation against landowning power.
- The connection between rural demands and the labor movements of the Industrial Revolution.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in historical fiction set in 19th-century Catalonia, especially those seeking to understand the roots of the agrarian and social conflicts of the time. It is also suitable for those who enjoy novels with complex rural characters, plots centered on the struggle for social justice, and an agile narrative style that combines tragedy and humor.
What this book offers
- A well-documented immersion into a key historical period for understanding the social transformations of the Catalan countryside.
- A human and intimate perspective on the lives of the rabassaires, their aspirations, and their conflicts.
- A narrative that intertwines local history with broader social movements, such as labor unrest.
- Memorable characters that reflect the tensions and contradictions of a society in crisis.
- An entertaining and reflective read that maintains interest thanks to its agile pace and tragicomic tone.
Technical data
- Author: AGUADE LOPEZ, ANSELMO
- Publisher: COSSET·NIA
- Language: cat
- Theme: HISTORICAL FICTION
- Collection: NARRATIVE
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: October 2008
- Number of pages: 272
- Weight: 450 g
Editorial review
A work that combines historical rigor with an accessible and human narrative. Anselmo Aguadé succeeds in bringing to life a crucial episode of Catalan rural history, offering the reader not only a story of struggle and resistance, but also a reflection on power dynamics and the pursuit of justice. Its agile style and touches of humor make for an enjoyable read without losing depth. Recommended for those who wish to explore the roots of social conflicts in the Catalan countryside through a well-constructed novel with authentic characters.