Quim Carandell recommends a book by Eduardo Mendoza that has not yet been read.
The singer of The Ludwig Band, after laughing a lot with other novels by the Barcelona writer, wants to start 'The Truth About the Savolta Case'
GironaQuim Carandell, vocalist and leader of The Ludwig BandHe's an avid and experienced reader. With his bandmates from the Empordà region, he spends half the week traveling all over Catalonia to festivals and local festivals. But, amidst all the hustle and bustle of the road, he also has plenty of idle hours of traveling and waiting, which are made more enjoyable with a good book in his hands. For this summer, Carandell recommends one he hasn't read yet: The truth about the Savolta case, by Eduardo Mendoza, one thriller well woven about murders and gunmen in Barcelona in the first half of the 20th century.
"Last year I read a lot of Mendoza, and a few days ago, while having dinner with my parents, my mother told me she was reading this title and I got the urge to pick it up again," explains the musician. He adds: "He's Catalan, but he has that very peninsular thing that comes from Cervantes of wanting to be the funniest thing at the table, of wanting to deal with all the themes of humanity through a sense of humor that's not subdued, not clownish, but with great taste. It could end up being a bouquet Message, but it has a wonderful elegance."
What also particularly appeals to him about this novel is that it's set in the Catalan capital: "It's like Mercè Rodoreda or Zafón, who allow you to see Barcelona through their eyes. It's something I always like and, for example, in the new album we're writing there are two songs in which he recognizes himself Tram to Malvarrosa, by the Valencian Manuel Vicent.
Beyond his interest in Mendoza's work, the singer of La Ludwig Band recognizes the undeniable influence of literature on his music: "I always start the song with an idea, which I often steal from other places, like books. When I was younger, when I was starting to write, I read Raskolnikov, the protagonist of Crime and Punishment, who sneaked into the subway, or a version of The foreigner by Camus, an author who has given me a lot," he concludes.