A writer never forgets the first time he accepted a few coins or a word of praise in exchange for a story. He will never forget the sweet poison of vanity in his blood and the belief that, if he succeeds in not letting anyone discover his lack of talent, the dream of literature will provide him with a roof over his head, a hot meal at the end of the day, and what he covets most: his name printed on a miserable piece of paper that surely will outlive him.
This is the macabre and sinister tale of David Martín, a journalist who turns to writing books. Initially, these are regularly churned out, trashy stories, written purely for income. Usually I don’t mind spoiling a story for someone but this story has so many twists and turns needless to say you will have to trust me and read it yourselves. I will say it this –he is commissioned by a mystery man to write “the best book in the world” and it all becomes totally weird and a bit Vanilla Sky-esque (those crazy Spaniards!). Suffice to say that this book is packed with action and mystery. I will however flag my favourite idea in the novel which is the underground bookstore that operates in sewers under Barcelona – all dark and candle lit and damp and delicious.
If you build an affinity with the strongly crafted character of David Martin, then you will love the way this story follows his despair and rewards. He is written like a grown up child character in a Charles Dickins novel. Every scene I pictured him in, especially in the house he comes to live in, I automatically visualize decay all around him, mould and dirt. A life lived in a haze of dull sepia full of heavy air and sadness. Despite all this, Martín’s tale is so compelling that you cannot leave it until you have read to the last sentence of the book.
This book was a visual feast – to communicate the descriptions of place and people impressive as it is a translated text in to English. If you are sick of reading fairy floss (not that there is anything wrong with that!) and its time to find something to sink your teeth in to, then read this book.
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