Temperance.
Temperance (2015) is a novel by the Spanish author María Dueñas. She is considered a "late writer", as she began her literary career with more than 40 years of age. Your debut, The time between seams (2009) sold millions of copies and was translated into some thirty languages. Inevitably, all his later works have been compared to his debut.
For those writers whose goal is to develop long-term careers — more than one book — this can be a problem. However, getting a first best-selling book represents a much appreciated financial peace of mind. It means "being able to live from writing" (and with a good quality of life). Thus, the real challenge for Dueñas today is to surpass herself.
About the author: María Dueñas
Dueñas was born in 1964 in Puertollano, a town in Castilla-La Mancha, in the central region of Spain. She is a Doctor in English Philosophy, graduated from the University of Murcia, where she is a full professor at the Faculty of Letters. To tell the truth, there has been little time spent in the classroom since its entry into the publishing world.
Now, not only has he had to write regularly, he must also attend and appear at press conferences, book fairs, sign autographs ... In 2009 it went on sale The time between seams, a historical novel set at the time of the Spanish Civil War. Full of real detail and prose that immediately captivated Spanish-speaking readers.
The first recognitions
Dueñas managed to preserve intact his subtle and delicate style to more “rustic” languages such as German or English. The time between seams It was the first recognition in her fledgling record as a writer. In 2010, it earned him the City of Cartagena Prize for the Historical Novel. Later, he obtained the Culture Award of the Community of Madrid, in the Literature category, year 2011.
His second novel also set the bar very high, Mision Forget (2012), although it was another best-seller, disappointed the bulk of its readers. Only readers who did not first know the adventures of Sira Quiroga (protagonist of the first novel) ended up satisfied with this story. The wake left by the young dressmaker forced to leave Madrid before the war is very powerful.
The Captain's Daughters
Maria Dueñas.
In 2018 it reached bookstores The Captain's Daughters. For critics it meant the apparently final reconciliation for Dueñas with his "fandom." A process started three years earlier with The Tempest. Both publications represent a clear example of a very curious situation in today's world of letters.
It is a kind of "star system”, Which shares great similarities to Hollywood and its cinema. Or even more current, that of Netflix and its series. Angry and disappointed fans everywhere, with constant complaints on social media (mainly Facebook) and on web forums.
Stories to satisfy followers?
Instant success is not surprising when it also becomes short-lived. This is not the case with María Dueñas. The Spanish has earned its place among the authors of a subgenre baptized by a certain sector as the "contemporary novel." Therefore, even though The time between seams continues as her flagship work, she is not a one-book writer.
Temperance: Mexico, Havana, Jerez de la Frontera
You can buy the book here: Temperance
Three clearly differentiated moments. Three regions apparently dissimilar to each other, but with many in common beyond a shared language. In the first moments of the novel palpable circumstances appear at first glance: love, betrayal, tragedy and greed. But after advancing a couple of chapters in the story, the depth of the plot becomes apparent.
The above occurs to a large extent thanks to the construction carried out by Dueñas of their characters: three-dimensional, changing (and unpredictable, eventually). With several layers that are put on or taken off according to the circumstances, far from Manichean considerations. All to summarize its protagonists in one word: humans.
Plot: a story of overcoming ... and overcoming
On the surface (without any pejorative intent in the use of this term), is the story of a tenacious, hard-working and ambitious man, Mauro Larrea: who is forced not just once, but twice to overcome the worst adversities. The "love interest" manifests under the name Soledad Montalvo. A woman adjusted to the protagonist as "the last of the shoe."
She is able to dictate every step of the way and anticipate next moves. It is between these two characters - necessarily of a dominant character - the mobilizing tension of the bulk of the story is unleashed. Values such as determination and loyalty are repeatedly put to the test. Tenacity is much more than a mere referential concept.
Analysis and reviews of the work
The "other" characters
The places are protagonists. The deserts miners from northern Mexico during the presidency of Benito Juárez. Havana, opulent and unconsciously denied any idea related to seeking independence or abolishing slavery. Jerez, one of the few cities to survive the economic bleeding that occurred during the XNUMXth century in Spain due to the loss of almost all of its American colonies.
These are the other characters that take sides within Temperance. María Dueñas, as she develops her slow and delicate prose, no details are saved to describe these three regions. It also scrutinizes the historical moments that occurred in each of them.
The sensory journey of Temperance
Phrase by María Dueñas.
The spectators feel firsthand the inclemencies and the luxuries that its inhabitants suffer or enjoy. In addition to the visual tour, the sublime merit of María Dueñas in Temperance it has been to evoke in the reader a vivid sound, olfactory and gustatory journey.
Temperance, A novel in "slow motion"?
La templanza it is a story with a slow unfolding of events. To the point that some readers become bored and desperate, determined to abandon the story during the first half. But once its characters set sail to the Caribbean (first) to cross the Atlantic again (later), the plot acquires a frenetic pace until the end.
A little patience does not hurt to enjoy the prose of Dueñas as it should. It is built to be savored calmly. Without the instant complacency promoted from platforms like Twitter or Instagram. You need to take enough time to enjoy it. After all, as Julio Cortázar said, "the novel always wins by points" ...