Description
BROKEN CHAINS
Book Summary
This novel, based on fragments of reality, narrates the parallel lives of two women born on the same day in opposite contexts: Hilda del Carmen, a shop assistant from Seville, and Elisabeth of Austria, the famous Sissi. Through their encounters and shared longings, the work explores the struggle for freedom and self-love in a 19th-century society that oppressed women. A historical journey that connects popular Seville with the Habsburg court.
What is it about?
The visit of Empress Elisabeth of Austria to Seville in May 1861 marks a turning point in the life of Hilda del Carmen, a young shop assistant at a fan store. Chance or fate reveals that they were both born on the same Christmas Eve in 1837, establishing a bond that allows for a parallel journey through their existences. Although their worlds are radically different, they share a deep dissatisfaction and a firm nonconformity with the strict rules of a patriarchal society. The novel weaves their stories together, showing how Hilda and Sisi are determined to break their destinies and conquer their own space, fighting for greater freedom and overcoming the humiliations imposed for being women.
Main Themes
- The struggle for female emancipation in the 19th century.
- Self-love as a driving force to overcome social oppression.
- The contrast between popular life in Seville and life at the Habsburg court.
- The search for self-determination in the face of an imposed destiny.
- The connection between two women from different social classes united by their aspirations.
Who is it recommended for?
For readers interested in historical fiction with a strong gender perspective, especially those who enjoy narratives that explore female psychology and the fight against social conventions. It is also ideal for those looking for stories based on real characters, such as Empress Sissi, but from a lesser-known and more human angle.
What this book offers
- A dual and enriching vision of the female condition in the 19th century, from two opposite social extremes.
- A plot that combines fiction with documented historical facts, offering an immersive journey into the past.
- A profound reflection on nonconformity and the ability of women to forge their own destiny.
- A narrative that highlights resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Martínez Sánchez, Carmen
- Publisher: EDICIONES CON M DE MUJER
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: CON M DE MUJER
- Publication Date: June 2025
- Number of pages: 492
- Weight: 607 g
Editorial Review
A work that stands out for its original narrative approach by paralleling the lives of two iconic and anonymous women. The author achieves a convincing social portrait and a subtle but firm critique of the power structures of the 19th century. Its length allows for a leisurely development of the plots, ideal for readers seeking an absorbing read with historical substance, focused on the personal evolution of its protagonists.