Good luck
Good luck is the most recent novel by the prominent Spanish writer Rosa Montero. It was published by the publishing house Alfaguara, on August 27, 2020. The author expressed in an interview for the magazine zenda that the story is about: “… the fear of living, and how to learn to lose that fear in order to lead a fuller, more intense life”.
The narrative tells how in a small town in southern Spain the lives of the protagonists, Pablo and Raluca, intersect. Both have gone through complex situations and their realities are totally different, but somehow they will complement each other, since they are darkness and light. With this book, the writer reflects on life, happiness and the consequences of past hurts.
Summary of Good luck (2020)
Pablo Hernando is an architect whoever he goes by train to a conference in the south of Spain. Deep in thought, he reacts to spot a "For Sale" sign in the distance, displayed in the window of an old apartment facing the tracks. Suddenly, decide to go down with the intention of buy said flat. At that time the reasons for that unforeseen and disconcerting decision are unknown.
This apartment is located in Pozonegro, an evicted town with little more than a thousand inhabitants. Previously, this town enjoyed prosperity thanks to the mining industry, although no trace remains of those good times. Although the area does not match the lifestyle that Pablo is used to, there he decides to take refuge, immersed in a deep depression.
Little by little, the protagonist will meet interesting characters in his environment. Initially to the tenants of the neglected building, among which stands out its neighbor, Raluca. This enigmatic woman will bring incredible changes to the life of that man, who will begin to appreciate those aspects that previously did not matter to him. She will be the light that I needed in the face of such gloom.
Analysis of Good luck
Modular
Good luck is a novel that the author described as: “… a existential thriller without murders and full of enigmas and mysteries ”. It is set in a fictional town called Pozonegro, and its plot is described by a omniscient narrator, in a little more than 300 pages. The book is organized in short chapters, in which the story flows simply and clearly.
Leading couple
Paul Hernando
He is a 54-year-old architect, somewhat disturbed, who is characterized by its formality and secrecyDue to this peculiar temperament, his friendships are few. Pablo has reached a stage where questions your past beliefs, actions, and decisions; which perhaps prompted him to take such a radical turn in his existence.
Raluca Garcia Gonzalez
Is an artist from Pozonegro, specialized in painting pictures of horses; she is a woman of overflowing energy, with a fresh, cheerful personality and full of humanity. Despite leading a quiet life, she is enveloped by the mystery of her murky past, which she has hidden very well; perhaps because many in the town are in a similar situation.
Other characters
Several secondary characters interact in the plot, which, like the protagonists, are very well built. Between these Several of Pablo's colleagues stand out, such as Regina, Lourdes and Lola, they are the first to worry after his disappearance. In addition, his companions German and Matías, who notify the police after he was absent from the conference in Malaga.
On the other handAre the protagonist's new neighbors, who live in a town that seems stopped in time and in which hypocrisy predominates. This people they hide many enigmas, some insignificant and perhaps funny, but others much more serious and gloomy. All surrounded by complex problems, which do not differ from the current reality.
Reflection
The writer created a novel in which topics such as the good and bad actions of human beings are discussed. What's more, invites to make a strong reflection on the marks that can cause childhood traumas and the terrible consequences they can generate.
All this from a positive point of view, always betting on the success of good over evil. Change your perspective, and see life with different eyes, turn the page and trust in good luck.
Opinions of the novel
Good luck it has managed to captivate thousands of readers; in the web, 88% of these evaluate the novel positively. Its more than 2.400 evaluations on the platform stand out Amazon, with an average of 4,1 / 5. 45% of these users gave the book five stars and left their impressions after reading. Only 13% rated the work 3 stars or less.
The writer has received multiple accolades with this latest installment, both nationally and internationally. Although this time he shed a bit of his peculiar style, his interesting and innovative mystery, together with his intrepid characters and themes, captivated his fans.
Biographical data of the author
Photography © Patricia A. Llaneza
The journalist and writer Rosa Montero She is a native of Madrid, she was born on Wednesday January 3, 1951, her parents are Amalia Gayo and Pascual Montero. Despite having lived a childhood in a humble environment, stood out thanks to his intelligence and imagination. From a very young age she was a lover of reading, proof of this is that with only 5 years he wrote his first narrative lines.
Professional Studies
In 1969, He entered the Complutense University of Madrid to study psychology. A year later, he began working in several Spanish newspapers, including: Frame y Pueblo. This work experience made her give up pursuing her career as a psychologist, so she changed her field and four years later He graduated as a journalist from the Higher School of Journalism in Madrid.
Journalistic career
He started as a columnist in the Spanish newspaper El País, shortly after its foundation, in 1976. There he made numerous articles, which allowed him hold for two years (1980 and 1981) the post of editor-in-chief of the Sunday supplement of the newspaper.
Throughout his career has specialized in interviews, an area in which it stands out for its originality and its own style. To his credit more than 2.000 conversations with distinguished figures are counted, such as: Julio Cortázar, Indira Gandhi, Richard Nixon, among others. There are many Spanish and Latin universities that have taken his technique to interview as a role model.
Literary race
The writer debuted with the novel Chronicles of heartbreak (1979) This work shocked both society and literary criticism of the time, due to its theme about the autonomy of women. Currently has to his credit 17 narratives, 4 children's books and 2 stories. It stands out among its texts: The cannibal's daughter (1997), with which he won the Primavera prize for a Spanish novel.
Novels by Rosa Montero
- 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)