Rosa Montero. Photography © Patricia A. Llaneza
"Rosa Montero books" is one of the most popular searches on the web. Among the results produced can be found the most outstanding titles of the Madrid writer in the last 4 decades. The author debuted in 1979 with the novel Chronicle of heartbreak, a work that at the time surprised the literary environment of Spain. However, the post that glorified her was I will treat you like a queen (1983), the book that placed her on the best-seller list for the first time.
Montero has a fruitful career in both literature and journalism. In his career in the world of letters, he has successfully published 17 books, 2 short stories and 6 children's titles, with which she has been awarded on various occasions. He has also stood out in the journalistic field, where he has obtained awards such as: World Interview Award (1978) and National Journalism Award (1981).
Brief biography of Rosa Montero
Rosa María Montero Gayo was born in Madrid on January 3, 1951, daughter of Amalia Gayo and Pascual Montero. At an early age, Rosa showed interest in reading and managed to write her first ideas in a very expressive way. At the age of 18, he entered the Complutense University of Madrid with the purpose of studying psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters., although years later he decided to change careers.
From 1969 to 1972, he took four psychology courses at the same institution, but finally he decided to apply for a career in Journalism at the Madrid School of Journalism. In that same year, he collaborated in various media, such as: People, Brother Wolf, Frames and Possible. He culminated his career in 1975 and from 1977 to the present he works at the newspaper El País.
Literary race
Rosa Montero has reaped a prosperous literary career in which she has published 17 novels —from 1979 to the present—. Many of these works have made her worthy of important awards, such as:
- What to Read Award for the best book (twice)
- Madrid Critics Award (2014)
- National Literature Award (2017)
Likewise, the author is the recipient of various international awards, among which the following stand out:
- Chile Critics Circle Award (1998 and 1999)
- Roman Primeur Award from Gaint-Emilion France (2006)
The playwright's excellent pen has allowed her to achieve recognition in Spain, despite the fact that this is a largely male-dominated market. The success of his novels has transcended nationally and internationally, being translated into 20 languages and adapted for theater, short films and even an opera. Likewise, her work is the object of study around the world, publishing a dozen of works pertaining to the author and more than 50 collective copies that contain some analyzes about her.
Novels by Rosa Monteros
- Chronicle of heartbreak (1979)
- The Delta function (1981)
- I will treat you like a queen (1983)
- Beloved master (1988)
- Tremor (1990)
- Beautiful and dark (1993)
- The cannibal's daughter (1997)
- The heart of Tartar (2001)
- The madwoman of the house (2003)
- History of the Transparent King (2005)
- Instructions to save the world (2008)
- Tears in the rain (2011)
- The ridiculous idea not to see you again (2013)
- The weight of the heart (2015)
- The meat (2016)
- In times of hate (2018)
- Good luck (2020)
Brief review of some books by Rosa Montero
Chronicles of heartbreak (1979)
It is the first novel by the writer Rosa Montero. The play is set in Spain in the 80s. The plot shows the position of a generation of women who had won the long-awaited freedom, but who still did not know how to handle it properly.
Synopsis
The story centers on Ana, a journalist for a renowned newspaper and who is going through difficult times. After separating from Juan, with whom she cohabited for 3 years, she is forced to raise her son alone amid extremely demanding work commitments.
The novel shows a complicated sociocultural clash: the delays of the Franco era and the modernization of the new time. It is a plot to reflect - between lines full of sensitivity - on issues, situations and prejudices that even today, in the XXI century, affect many women.
The cannibal's daughter (1997)
It is one of the most recognized works of the Spanish writer, a novel that addresses the mystery of a disappearance. The plot is set in Spain at the end of the 2003th century. Since its publication, it has been a sales success, in addition, deserving of the Primavera Prize for a Spanish novel that same year. In XNUMX, it was adapted for a film by Antonio Serrano and starred Cecilia Roth. Also, Gina Monge took it to the stage as the play "Locate yourself."
Synopsis
The plot begins with the presentation of a married couple living in Madrid, made up of the writer Lucía Romero and Ramón Iruña, a tax official. Although they have been together for 10 years, it is not love that identifies them; in fact, it can be said that they are united by custom. Nevertheless, The couple decide to take a few days and visit Vienna for the end of the year, but something happens just before taking the flight: Ramón disappears without any explanation.
After searching all over the airport, Lucía, full of nerves, decides to go to their apartment, and when she does not get answers, she is forced to report the disappearance to the police. The detective body undertakes the investigation, but at the same time the writer also looks for clues. To do this, the woman uses the help of her neighbor Felix - a veteran anarchist - and Adrián - an inexperienced young man.
As the hard tracking process begins, Lucia realizes that she has been living a lie that was consuming her. Already clearer with reality, she is gaining confidence in herself and also decides to inquire about the real reason for life.
History of the Transparent King (2005)
It is the tenth book published by Rosa Montero. It is a historical novel that takes place in the Europe of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The plot raised by the writer has great strength and is destined to become a literary classic. The excellence of the work has given it notoriety among academics and readers, which has allowed it to win prestigious awards, such as:
- What to Read Award 2005 for the best Spanish novel
- Mandarache Award 2007
Synopsis
La History of the Transparent King tells the drama of a young fifteen-year-old named Leola, who lives humbly in lands submerged in war and dominated by mean men. One day, she makes a decision that will change her life forever: snatch the armor from a dead soldier and use it to go unnoticed.
From there the odyssey begins, which is narrated in the first person by Leola herself and which takes place in several important settings of the Middle Ages. During the development of the story, incredible characters will emerge with whom the adolescent will live great adventures, among them "Nyneve" -a supposed witch-, who will become his comrade in arms. In the midst of her experiences in France, the protagonist will run into the enigma of the Transparent King, which is revealed in the final lines of the work.
