Two extraordinary stories

Vicente Garcia Oliva He defines “Los Tordos” as “a novel that can be framed within the ‘historical novel’ genre, as it takes place in Asturies and Spain, during an important period of our history.” But above all, it is from a ‘novel’. What I mean is that the events that constitute it are fiction, even though they seem plausible and even real. I say this so you don’t come back later and say: ‘Hey. , that wasn’t quite like that!’ Or: ‘This man did not say what you said.’ OK, it’s a novel.”

In it he explains: “Two stories are told, at first parallel and alternating, and eventually coming together. One of them tells the life of Higinio Carrocera, a very important character in the history of the Asturies. ‘Mazucu’s hero’, “Anarchist, revolutionary, a man of great charisma, who deserved his war and earned the Republic’s highest distinction: the Medal of Freedom.”

A person who is little known to today’s youth and deserves greater public and popular recognition. Those who dealt with his figure brought him closer to the category of myth, and the challenge I set for myself was to display an attitude that was cold and detached, rather than cold and aloof. but a legend a flesh and blood citizenHe tries to be close, even friendly, but also respectful of his life and beliefs.

García Oliva adds that the other story follows the life of Miguel, a “teacher” from a fictional town in the Nalón basin, from pre-adolescence until he becomes a man. 1930s to 1940sThe advent of the Second Republic, the Revolution of ’34, the Civil War filled with exile, death and reprisals.

All of this “serves in Miguel’s growth as a person, his involvement in the real world away from childhood games. So it’s a beginning, a coming-of-age story, a kind of rite of passage from adolescence to maturity.” And it’s also a love story because its people –Castañera Alta– A family of disinherited people will arrive, consisting of a widowed father, two polio-stricken sons (“the thrushes”), and a daughter who fights for them all and with whom Miguel will fall madly in love.

The combination of these two stories, that of “Ginio” Carrocera and Miguel, results in a novel that “has occupied my time in recent years and I hope you enjoy it because there are many novels out there.” war, death and revolution, but there’s also romance, humor and nimble dialogue that make for easy reading. I hope so.”

With his usual skill and evocative ability, García Oliva tells the story of simple living people. transcendental moments In the history of Asturias.

thrushes

Vicente Garcia Oliva

Editorial Hoja de Lata, 224 pages, 18.90 euros

Source: Informacion

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