![]() ![]() ![]() Like Arnau, the cathedral grows over the course of the book. The cathedral, like the boy, is an integral part of the story and also a symbol of the Catalan people. And that is where Arnau sees the Cathedral of the Sea, which is being built not by some rich lord trying to expiate his sins, but by the people of Barcelona. Bernat seeks refuge in Barcelona with his sister who has married a wealthy tradesman. Bernat breaks in, takes his son, killing one of de Bellera’s men, and flees.Īrnau is the central character of the book, and Ildefonso Falcones uses his life to paint a vivid picture of medieval Catalonia. ![]() De Bellera sees this as an affront to his virility and takes his revenge: he orders Francesca to move to his castle to nurse his son while Arnau is left to starve in the castle’s basement. He exercises his droit de seigneur but when Francesca’s child Arnau is born, he is quite clearly Bernat’s with the distinctive Estanyol birthmark on his face. This brutal interruption by de Bellera sets the story in motion. And so begins this sprawling saga set in 14th century Catalonia. ![]() Finally, there’s a clash of drums and cymbals as all hell breaks loose. Then the approach of the feudal lord Llorenç de Bellera and his riders brings in a discordant note. The first chapter of this book felt like a piece of music-flutes gently celebrating the wedding of Bernat Estanyol, a Catalonian farmer, and his bride, the lovely Fransesca. ![]()
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