The most apparently insignificant things will often surprise you; an ostensibly unimportant spark might be the start of a great tragedy. Natalia Soler is a forty-three year old journalist who has always wanted to be a writer. After going on strike, she decides that the time has come to try her luck and applies for a research grant for a project about two people from her neighbourhood who lived in successive eras. One of them, José Emilio was a priest who was murdered during the war. The second, Antonio Almenar was born after the other man had died and took an active part in the struggle against the dictatorship. As she gathers testimony for her book, Natalia receives a message from the past: Carmen, an old friend who disappeared suddenly from her life, wants to meet her, leading Natalia to remember an event that was never properly explained; she will find out that a severe shock can cause great upheaval even after many years have passed...
With this novel Carmen Amoraga consolidates a literary vocation which has seen her become a finalist of the Premio Nadal for the novel and the Premio Planeta.
Two extremely complex female characters with whom readers will empathise, relating to their experiences.
A series of anonymous characters from the recent history of Spain; winners and losers portrayed with wisdom and compassion showing the highs, lows and shadows of life itself.
Piemme (Italy).
