Description
The Calabrian from Erill and other stories
Book Summary
This volume collects the winning narrative of the 7th Mn. Romà Comamala Short Story Prize, along with two jury mentions. The main work, by Jordi Boladeras Sancho, follows an unemployed journalist from Barcelona who investigates the origin of the Italian expression "to be like a Calabrian from Erill." The search leads him to Erill la Vall, in the Vall de Boí, where he discovers a passionate love story between a local girl and a young Italian, set during the summer of 1920, in the midst of the campaign to extract Romanesque paintings. A literary proposal that combines investigation, historical memory, and local legend.
What is it about?
The book opens with the contest's winning story, which blends elements of a detective novel and a historical chronicle. An unemployed journalist, intrigued by an Italian expression discovered for him by the mother of a Calabrian friend, embarks on a journey that takes him to the Vall de Boí. There, following the clues of this popular saying, he encounters the love story experienced by a girl from Erill la Vall and a young Italian in the summer of 1920. The young man was part of a group of restorers working to remove the Romanesque paintings from the churches of Pallars. The volume is completed with two additional narratives, recognized by the prize jury, which expand the thematic and stylistic diversity of the work.
Main themes
- The search for identity and the origin of popular expressions.
- Historical memory and local legends of the Vall de Boí.
- Love as a bridge between cultures (Catalonia and Italy).
- The historical context of the extraction of the Romanesque paintings of Pallars.
- The tradition of short stories and literary prizes.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is ideal for readers interested in contemporary Catalan short fiction, especially those that draw on local history and traditions. It is also recommended for those who enjoy personal investigation stories with a strong sentimental component and a focus on discovering the cultural heritage of the Pyrenees. Perfect for followers of literary awards and short story contests.
What this book offers
- A literary and emotional vision of a little-known historical episode: the extraction of Romanesque paintings.
- The discovery of the origin of a popular expression that connects two cultures.
- Three different narrative voices, enriching the reading experience with diverse styles.
- An immersion in the atmosphere and legends of the Vall de Boí.
Technical specifications
- Author: Various authors
- Publisher: Cossetania
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: Short stories
- Collection: Narrative
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: April 2009
- Number of pages: 104
- Weight: 172 g
Editorial review
This is a work that, through a local literary prize, manages to give voice to a story rooted in the territory with great evocative potential. The main narrative stands out for its ability to weave a detective plot against the backdrop of a romance from a century ago, offering the reader an experience that goes beyond a simple story. The collection of three pieces offers a representative sample of current short fiction, with special interest for those seeking brief readings with historical and sentimental substance.