In the last few days I've had the chance to browse through two newly published books that I found spectacular. One of them is the essay by Elvira Prado-Fabregat. Dark Nature. Imagination and ecology based on 'Solitude'Published by Barcino. And on the other hand, the Guide to Catalan Fantastic Creatures Published by Comanegra, with texts by Joan de Déu Prats and illustrations by Maria Padilla Climent.
These are two unique, daring, and beautiful books, both the fruit of tenacious and rigorous work. I wish them the best of luck and wholeheartedly recommend them, though I don't know if we'll see them on the bestseller lists. And yet, what a privilege that they have been published and that we can find them in bookstores!
That this has been possible is due to the courage and tenacity of the authors and also of their respective publishers. Therefore, before telling you a little about the books, I wanted to emphasize how grateful we should be to have people like them in Catalan culture: tenacious, rigorous, courageous, and persistent. The vitality of the publishing sector, in addition to being measured by thousands of books sold, should also be evaluated by the appearance of books like these.
Elvira Prado-Fabregat's essay analyzes the role of nature in Víctor Català's masterpiece. In my first reading, I immediately gravitated to the chapters that examine the relationship between the author's literature—she lived in seclusion for most of the time in L'Escala—and the best and most representative works of British Gothic literature, such as those by the Brontë sisters or Mary Shelley. The essayist, in fact, explains that one of the sparks that inspired the essay was the connection she detected between Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë and LonelinessIncidentally, the author points out that this relationship is even more incredible considering that Caterina Albert claimed in a letter to Joan Maragall that she hadn't read any English literature. But, as we know, Víctor liked to make people believe one thing for another... A wonderful chapter! Dark nature dedicated to the wind (the tramontana) in the work of Víctor Català and in the barren and gloomy landscapes of Wuthering Heights
Also of great interest is the rediscovery of María de Bell-lloc, pseudonym of María del Pilar Maspons, author of two volumes of legends in 1875 and 1881.
In the Guide to Catalan Fantastic Creatures We discovered (or rediscovered) up to 150 specimens, classified by their origin, powers, and appearance. Just the names of these creatures are enough to make your mouth water: bubotas, water women, gusarapa, momerota, peladitos, tumbosales, gandofia, barrumbos, and chirimelas. Some will sound familiar (the witches of Llers, in my case), but you're sure to make some great discoveries.
The illustrations accompanying each entry make the book a beautiful piece and, incidentally, an original Christmas gift. It will also be a great help to those with children who look forward to a fun and different story every night.
Congratulations to those who made it possible. And to all of us as well.
