The fabric of the days
The fabric of days is the first novel in a historical saga written by the Spanish author Carlos Aurensanz. The writer is recognized for the predilection of his pen for narrating, through fictitious characters, the events of yesteryear. His most recent literary work —the one that is the subject of this review— was published by Ediciones B | B for Books in 2021,
With the fabric of days Carlos Aurensanz completely changes genre, as this book could be defined as a traditional story with shades of intrigue, full of family secrets capable of changing everyone's lives and each of their characters. The common thread of the plot unravels thanks to a person who appears to convulse the world of a town.
Synopsis of The fabric of days
Julia's journey
As the month of January 1950 runs, a young woman named Julia leaves her hometown behind to live in Zaragoza. There she intends to carve out an ideal future for herself and hers, her unborn son. Julia is pregnant by Miguel, with whom she shared a forbidden love; However, the man is dead and left him a small fortune to start again. Even so, the fact that she is going to have an illegitimate child is a matter that she must keep secret, as moral issues.
After his arrival in Zaragoza, Julia meets Rosita, a plain but very talented girl who possesses an innate skill in the area of sewing. Since then, The newcomer decides to invest her money in a fashion house, where her new friend will be the dressmaker. At first things don't go very well: no one goes near the haute couture salon, which implies a real exercise in patience for the regents.
Mrs. Monforte
Despite the slow rise of the business, little by little the space begins to fill with women. However, these are not just any ladies, but those of the wealthiest class in the town. Among them is Doña Pepa Monforte, la wife of one of the most distinguished lawyers from town.
Thanks to the arrival of the bourgeois lady —combined with the beautiful cuts and fabrics with which Rosita makes her dresses and Julia's refreshing energy—, the fashion house becomes a crowded walk for all the ladies of high society.
The fact that Doña Pepa is the wife of Don Emilio Monforte suits the newly arrived and pregnant Julia very well, since this woman hides a great secret that endangers the legal situation of her son and her own honor: Miguel, whom He has always introduced himself as her late husband, he never married her. That is how the protagonist ends up knowing the Monforte house, and with it, the particular characters that live there.
The home of the Monfortes
At the residence of Emilio Monforte, a supporter of Francoism, Julia meets several people who will change her life and in whom, at the same time, andshe will have a lot of influence —from the porter and driver to the maids and the house cook.
One of those endearing characters who become essential is Antonia, one of the maids. At the beginning of the story, Julia is the undisputed protagonist, however, she gives way to the young maiden so that the reader knows much more about her.
Main characters
Julia
It is one of the protagonists of The fabric of days. She She is a brave, strong girl with a judgment ahead of her time. In the post-war era, where women were regulated to have children, prepare dishes and keep their husbands happy, Julia maintained an indomitable character and taught the other ladies in history not to let anyone tip the scales of their destiny. .
Antonia
Antonia is a girl who is part of the Monforte servitude. The young woman wants to improve herself, but she has no chance to do so. Until Julia meets her, her destiny was to work at her residence to help her younger brother finish his studies and fulfill his dream of being a priest.
Subsequently, Antonia was supposed to quit her job to take care of her parents. But all his perceptions change thanks to his friendship with Julia.
Pepa Monforte
Doña Pepa is a woman Charming and kind, easy-going and a quick smile. She always has the right word for the right person, and is very supportive of the rest of the characters. maybe It is thanks to this woman that it is possible to understand in a better way how carlos aurensanz intertwine or “weaves” the stories and the elements that make up the work.
About the author, Carlos Aurensanz
Charles Aurensanz
Carlos Aurensanz Sánchez was born in 1964, in Tudela, Navarra, Spain. Aurensanz graduated in veterinary medicine at the University of Zaragoza. Currently, He pursues his career as a veterinarian in Public Health for the Government of La Rioja, while maintaining his role as a writer for historical novels and fiction. His first literary work was Banu Qasi, the Children of Cassius, published in 2009 by editions B.
In later years he published two more novels with the same theme: Banu Qasi, the war in Al Andalus y Banu Qasi, the hour of the Caliph. These constitute his trilogy, known by the name of Al Ándalus border trilogy o Banu Qasi Trilogy. Carlos Aurensanz is also well known for having created works with dramatic overtones, such as the painted door (2015)
However, Aurensanz's great love seems to be historical novels, given that in 2016 he returned to this genre with Hasday, the Caliph's doctor. On this occasion, the work is narrated from the perspective of a doctor belonging to Judaism. Before it is published The fabric of days He launched The Gambler King. This last work is set in the time of King Sancho el Fuerte, and recounts the adventures of a boy who works in a quarry.