Paris wakes up late
Paris wakes up late is the new romantic novel written by the award-winning Spanish journalist, presenter and author Máximo Huerta. The work will be published by Planeta on January 24, 2024. This date is of utmost importance for the context of the book, as it reveals a very special connection with an event from the past, one that will have an impact on a real-life event.
Máximo Huerta —winner of the 2014 Primavera Prize with his fourth work, The dream night— takes the main elements of the romantic novel and frames them in the 20th century, in Paris, during the 1924 Olympic Games, an event that will be held again this year in the City of Lights. At the same time, she develops a tumultuous romance and luminous and positive characters.
Synopsis of Paris wakes up late
Paris, city of lights, parties and loves
The novel follows the story of Alice Humbert, a dressmaker with a soul torn to pieces because of a truncated love. Her soulmate, Erno Hessel, leaves her to move to New York City. Alice finds herself a little lost within herself and her pain. However, Paris bustles under her feet and before her eyes, as the inhabitants prepare for the Olympic Games.
Being like this, the protagonist She can't help but be carried away by all the splendor that awaits her beyond the door of her workshop. At the same time, He works and takes care of his brothers and friends, especially the brilliant Kiki de Montparnasse. Paris dresses up, just like Alice's life. Her confections begin to become famous and she meets someone who renews her faith in love.
The shadows of the past
As in every romantic novel, There is a certain nationalism in Paris wakes up late. Massive events soon begin to wreak havoc among Parisians, who suffer attacks and horrendous situations. Meanwhile, Alice tries to enjoy her new romance, but the past returns with mysteries and secrets that must be revealed, and the present is about to face changes.
The beauty of fashion, the passion of love and historical conflict mix in this story to leave only one question on the table: What does being in love come down to? According to Máximo Huerta, it is as simple as to love or not to love. In this sense, Alice must decide if she wants to be burned by Cupid's fire again, or settle into a calmer and more comfortable life.
The romantic novel as a literary genre
The romantic novel is characterized by presenting themes such as love, death, nostalgia, the sense of loss and loneliness, all within a group and never separately. Has a magnified sense of self, so that it usually focuses on the feelings of the individual. Likewise, it uses nature as a metaphor for the feelings of the protagonist(s), and can end in a tragic way.
This literary genre had its beginnings within Romanticism, where texts such as biographies and gothic horror novels became popular. Romantic literature is greatly influenced by the Middle Ages, however, Current authors have tried to innovate, bringing more recent times. Even so, the romantic novel almost always moves to past times, distant places and sinuous loves.
Some examples of romantic novels
The romantic genre should not be confused with romance or romance, since the latter is characterized by always providing happy endings where the protagonists triumph after having risked everything for love, being rewarded with a kind of loving justice. As opposed, The romantic novel exposes the most passionate and dark feelings of the human being.
Among his most popular references are works such as Jane Eyre (1847), by Charlotte Brontë, Wuthering Heights (1847), by Emily Brontë, The Miserables (1862), by Victor Hugo, Pride and prejudice (1813), by Jane Austen or María (1867), by Jorge Isaac. All of these present complex plots, with ambivalent characters who love intensely and hate in the same way.
Máximo Huerta as author of romantic novels
Nowadays, romance has become much more popular than romance novel, and that is why it is not surprising that there is so much confusion about it, since both genders handle love as their central axis. Despite the decline of the romantic in pursuit of telling more positive and contemporary stories, authors like Máximo Huerta revive a little the old inclination for the subjective.
Paris wakes up late It is not the first novel of the genre by this author, in fact, he is well known for his laurels, which he has won thanks to works such as Bye little one —Fernando Lara Novel Prize 2022—. Although his books do not rigorously comply with absolutely all the characteristics of romanticism, they do stand out for their understanding of the historical and subjectivist aspects of this classification.
About the author, Máximo Huerta
Máximo Huerta Hernández was born on January 26, 1971, in Utiel, Valencia, Spain. He trained in Information Sciences at the CEU San Pablo University. Subsequently, He completed a master's degree in Graphic Design and Editorial Illustration from the European Institute of Design in Madrid. His career began in radio programs such as Radio 5 of RNE in Utiel and Radio Buñol, although he later moved to television.
In this medium he has collaborated in programs such as News telecinco, The Ana Rosa program, La1, Mask Singer: guess who is singing and the Benidorm Fest. As a curiosity, Máximo Huerta has been the Minister of Culture and Sports of Spain with less time fulfilling their duties, with an extension of just one week.
Other books by Máximo Huerta
Novels
- May it be the last time… (2009);
- The whisper of the conch (2011);
- A store in Paris (2012);
- The dream night (2014);
- Ne me quitte pas — Don't leave me (2015);
- The hidden part of the iceberg (2017);
- Firmament (2018);
- With love was enough (2020);
- Bye little one (2022)
stories
- The writer (2015);
- From scratch (2017);
Children's literature
- Elsa and the sea (2016)
Travel books
- My place in the world is you (2016)