En la Barcelona modernista germina una historia de amor entre dos jóvenes de clases sociales distintas. Una gran novela histórica de pasión, ideales y venganza.
A finales del siglo XIX, Barcelona vive una época de esplendor. Acaba de celebrarse con gran éxito la Exposición Universal y una burguesía próspera y culta, que busca inspiración en los salones parisinos, exhibe su elegancia en fiestas y veladas musicales. Pero al otro lado de la ciudad, donde las calles se estrechan y huelen a pobreza, el rencor y la injusticia están fraguando una revolución capaz de recurrir a la violencia más descarnada.
Práxedes Ripoll dirige con mano de hierro a los obreros de la fábrica que lleva su nombre, pero no consigue que sus hijos vayan por el camino que él pretende. El mayor, Germán, es un vividor que goza del favor de las mujeres y disfruta de los placeres que le ofrece la Barcelona más canalla mientras que el menor, Antonio, está decidido a abrazar el sacerdocio para el resto de sus días. Y Candela, su joven y rebelde sobrina, que no está conforme con el papel que destina para la mujer la machista sociedad de la época, tampoco está dispuesta a seguir sus designios.
Y es que, desde hace un tiempo, Candela se ve a escondidas con Juan Pedro Bonafont, el hijo de la costurera; un muchacho de mirada franca y amante de los libros de quien se ha enamorado perdidamente. Un amor imposible para las rígidas costumbres de los Ripoll, quienes no dudarán en usar todos los medios a su alcance para frustrar los planes de la pareja.
Con la habilidad de los grandes maestros de la novela histórica, Chufo Lloréns teje un tapiz geográfico y humano apasionante. Su pluma ágil y perspicaz nos conduce desde los lujosos reservados del teatro del Liceo hasta los lóbregos sótanos donde se tramaban las conjeturas anarquistas, mientras el destino de los personajes se va trenzando en una Barcelona que se debate entre la atracción por la modernidad y el miedo a unos cambios sociales violentos e inevitables.
ENGLISH DESCRIPTION
In modern day Barcelona, a love story between two young people of different social backgrounds is blooming. A wonderful historical novel about passion, ideals, and revenge.
At the end of the nineteenth century, Barcelona enjoys a time of splendor. The World Fair has just been celebrated to much success, and a prosperous and educated bourgeoisie, looking for inspiration in the Parisian salons, displays its elegance at parties and musical soirees. But on the other side of the city, where streets stretch and smell of poverty, injustice and spite are brewing a revolution capable of turning to the most gruesome violence.
Práxedes Ripoll leads the workers at his factory with an iron fist, but cannot make his sons follow the path he would wish. The eldest, Germán, is a hustler who enjoys the favor of women and the pleasures the most rogue Barcelona has to offer, while the youngest, Antonio, is determined to embrace priesthood for the rest of his days. And Candela, his young and rebellious niece, dissatisfied with the role the misogynistic society of her time has chosen for women, is not willing to follow his commands either.
Because, for some time now, Candela has been secretly meeting Juan Pedro Bonafont, the seamstress son, a young man with candid gaze and a passion for books, for whom she has fallen deeply in love. It is a hopeless love when it comes to the rigid ways of the Ripolls, who will not hesitate to use all available means to frustrate the couple’s plans.
With the expertise of a great master of historical novel, Chufo Llorréns creates a fascinating tapestry, both geographical and human.
In modern day Barcelona, a love story between two young people of different social backgrounds is blooming. A wonderful historical novel about passion, ideals, and revenge.
At the end of the nineteenth century, Barcelona enjoys a time of splendor. The World Fair has just been celebrated to much success, and a prosperous and educated bourgeoisie, looking for inspiration in the Parisian salons, displays its elegance at parties and musical soirees. But on the other side of the city, where streets stretch and smell of poverty, injustice and spite are brewing a revolution capable of turning to the most gruesome violence.
Práxedes Ripoll leads the workers at his factory with an iron fist, but cannot make his sons follow the path he would wish. The eldest, Germán, is a hustler who enjoys the favor of women and the pleasures the most rogue Barcelona has to offer, while the youngest, Antonio, is determined to embrace priesthood for the rest of his days. And Candela, his young and rebellious niece, dissatisfied with the role the misogynistic society of her time has chosen for women, is not willing to follow his commands either.
Because, for some time now, Candela has been secretly meeting Juan Pedro Bonafont, the seamstress son, a young man with candid gaze and a passion for books, for whom she has fallen deeply in love. It is a hopeless love when it comes to the rigid ways of the Ripolls, who will not hesitate to use all available means to frustrate the couple’s plans.
With the expertise of a great master of historical novel, Chufo Llorréns creates a fascinating tapestry, both geographical and human.
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