Shiva's tears

Shiva's tears (2002) is the eighth novel published by the Spanish author César Mallorquí. It is a story of suspense and intrigue, where intra-family relationships and mystery dominate the narrative thread. Likewise, throughout the text topics such as friendship, forbidden loves and the exaltation produced by the revelation of a secret are addressed.

The protagonist of the plot is Javier, a young fifteen-year-old very dedicated with his school obligations and fond of science fiction readings. He is in charge of counting in the first person -several years later- the events that occurred since his arrival in Santander in the summer of 1969. It would be an unforgettable summer season and full of exciting adventures.

About the author, César Mallorquí

Born in Barcelona on June 10, 1953, César Mallorquí del Corral grew up in a family inclined towards literature. In fact, his father was the writer José Mallorquí (well known for being the creator of The coyote). Despite publishing his first stories as a teenager, the young Catalan writer did not decide on a career in letters.

Journalist, publicist and screenwriter

Mallorquín studied journalism at the Complutense University of Madrid (he lived with his family in the Spanish capital since he was one year old). There too He was a collaborator in the development of scripts for the SER network when he was 19 years old. After graduation, he worked as a journalist for almost a decade until his military service in the late 70s.

During the 1980s, Mallorquí worked mainly in the world of advertising and with the creation of television scripts. Later, In the early 90s, he began to seriously consider the possibility of dedicating himself to writing professionally. Then, influenced by authors such as Borges, Bester and Bradbury, among others, he leaned towards science fiction and fantasy plots.

Literary career and recognitions

Prior to the publication of his first novel, The iron rod (1993), César Mallorquí had already received several awards for his work as a screenwriter. Among them, the 1991 Aznar Award for The lost traveler, as well as the Alberto Magno Prize 1992 and 1993 for The ice wall y The sleeping man, respectively. His first award-winning novel was The stamp collector (1995 UPC Award).

In fact, this last title meant a takeoff point in his outstanding writing career. In total, he has already published more than two dozen texts with his signature, including two anthologies, a trilogy and has participated in the development of four collective books. In 2015, all the work of the Catalan author was recognized with the Cervantes Prize Chico.

Most outstanding works

Shiva's tears It has been one of the César Mallorquí releases most acclaimed by critics and readers. Not surprisingly, this title won the Edebé de Youth Literature 2002 and the Liburu Gaztea 2003. Although, without a doubt, his most awarded book has been La isla de Bowen (2012), winner of the following awards:

• Edebé Prize for Youth Literature 2012.
• The Temple of a Thousand Doors Award 2012.
• Honor Roll of International Board of Books for Young People
• National Prize for Youth Literature 2013.

Analysis of Shiva's tears

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Style

The language used by the main narrator is typical of a fifteen-year-old boy. However, due to his devotion to books, Javier is able to articulate with an adult lexicon mixed with some features of colloquial jargon. Even though they are not very frequent, there are some segments in which the author demonstrates a very cultured language, with carefully elaborated dialogues.

Structure, time and space

At the beginning of the story, the protagonist is in Madrid. But, because of the fear of catching tuberculosis from his father, Javier is sent to Santander. Specifically, to his uncles' house —Villa Candelaria, a 1969th century mansion — between July and September XNUMX. Most of the events reported take place in that property in the twelve chapters that make up the novel.

Characters

Along with the aforementioned Javier, the development of the story involves Violeta Obregón, an intelligent fifteen-year-old girl with a slightly arrogant and provocative behavior. The two of them are in charge of unveiling the mystery of the disappearance of Beatriz Obregón and the jewels known as the Tears of Shiva.

The passionate Rosa Obregón is another relevant character; has an affair with Gabriel, the first-born of the Mendoza. But it is a forbidden love due to the enmity that has existed between the Mendoza and the Obregón family for more than eight decades. Additionally, other characters with an important weight appear in the work, they are:

• "The rebel" Margarita Obregón.
• Alberto, Javier's brother.
• Aunt Adela.
• Uncle Luis.
• Gabriel Mendoza
• Mrs. Amalia.

Summary

Home

In the first three chapters, Javier tells of when he was sent to Santander along with his older brother, Alberto (17 years old). In these passages he details his father's illness, the landscape and the details of his transfer. Upon arriving in Cantabria, he met his uncles Adela and Luis with their respective daughters: Rosa (18), Margarita (17), Violeta (15) and Azucena (12).

Once installed in Villa Candelaria, Javier began to feel a strange presence (impregnated with a deep smell of tuberose) and recorded some curious events. It was about his cousin Rosa's nocturnal escapades. As well as the construction of a perpetual motion device by his uncle Luis in the basement workshop of the town.

The mystery of the empty tomb

During a visit to the family mausoleum, Violeta told Javier the story of Beatriz Obregon. Eighty years ago Beatriz was destined to marry Sebastián Mendoza (who gave her an ostentatious emerald necklace to show his love). But, shortly before the wedding, Beatriz disappeared and the Mendoza demanded the return of the valuable garment.

When the precious stones did not appear either, the Mendoza accused Beatriz of having escaped with the Tears of Shiva. Meanwhile, Rosa continued her forbidden romance (with Gabriel Mendoza), just as Violeta and Javier grew closer due to their shared taste for literature. While the girl dismissed the science fiction genre.

A stained name

After making inquiries in a Santander port, Violeta and Javier presumed that Beatriz escaped on a ship named Savanna. There, presumably, the woman would have been murdered by the captain to steal her jewels. Meanwhile, Javier recounts how he witnessed the takeoff of the Apollo XI spacecraft bound for the moon on television (later the landing and return are narrated).

Forbidden love

A name appeared on the bathroom mirror after Javier took a shower. So, Violeta supposes to have solved the enigma. Later, the romance between Gabriel and Rosa came to the fore, Therefore, the positions of prohibition and animosity between the Mendoza and Obregon families were reaffirmed. Consequently, at Rosa's request, Javier acted as a postman among the lovers.

Then, Javier and Violeta met Amalia Bareyo, the Obregon's maid at the time of Beatriz's disappearance. The Mrs. explained how the Obregons were very sullen people, except for Beatriz, but she refused to follow the conversation when the boys mentioned Savanna.

A letter and a supernatural apparition

Javier and Violeta's curiosity led them to discover a series of hidden letters in a trunk. The letters revealed the reciprocal love between Beatriz and Captain Simón Cienfuegos, who fled to America. Consequently, the boys accepted the version of the love story until the ghost of Beatriz appeared to Javier.

Before fading for good, the specter wrote the word Amalia in the dust of a desk. Finally, Javier got the necklace and understood the involvement of Mrs. Amalia in the disappearance of the jewels. However, Violeta did not believe him and got upset with him. Finally, the boy gave the Tears of Shiva to his uncle Luis, who, in turn, returned the stones to the Mendoza.

The end of the enmity

With Beatriz's honor restored, Gabriel and Rosa were able to commit themselves. The end of the summer season culminated with the typical walks to the beach and some mishap with the police caused by "the rebel" Margarita. Furthermore, Javier discovered that Violeta was in love with him and —thanks to a conversation with Azucena— admits his own feelings towards her.

Five years later, Rosa and Gabriel married after completing their studies. At the wedding, Rosa wore Beatriz's dress along with Shiva's Tears. Finally, in the last lines, it is mentioned that Margarita studied in Paris, Azucena in NASA and that Javier declared his love for Violeta when they said goodbye at the train station at the end of the summer of 1969.