The sonata of silence
The sonata of silence is a historical fiction, thriller and mystery novel written by the Spanish lawyer, geographer, historian and author Paloma Sánchez Garnica. The work was published by the Planeta publishing house in 2014. Since then, critics and readers have been divided regarding its classification.
Some claim that the writer masterfully captures the post-war era and that this is the best thing about the book. For their part, others believe that the richness of Paloma Sánchez Garnica's title is found in her characters. Either way, The sonata of silence has not left its readers indifferent. Although there is also a faction that tends to complain; Among the reasons is the length of the work, and that, from time to time, certain attitudes of the protagonists seem implausible.
Synopsis of The sonata of silence
Postwar Spain
The era after the Spanish Civil War left a deep mark on the Iberian country. The society that prevails in this period is characterized by machismo and the authoritarian character that relegates women to live under the shadow of men.
The ladies, more out of submission than conviction, they are forced to serve and respect the male figure. This prevents them from making important decisions, in fact, they do not even have power over their own destiny. This context may be exaggerated, but it is nothing more than the truth of those years.
One of the pillars of The sonata of silence is built through the past, and it is done to exemplify how social thinking has changed over the decades. This does not mean that all the cards to play in favor of gender equality are already on the table.
En este sentido, Paloma Sánchez Garnica states that younger generations have the responsibility to learn from history to understand the transformation that the world has undergone in these terms.
The leading voice
The sonata of silence It is a choral novel, that is to say: Its plot is made up of the anecdotes of several protagonists. However, if you must choose a stellar character that invites readers to enter this world full of intrigue, that should be Marta.
Is the daughter of a diplomat, a refined and prepared woman, with great talent for music, especially the piano. Despite the hopes he has for his early life, the years begin to show him that circumstances and the way you deal with them make people.
After marrying Antonio, Marta's existence becomes a cold hell and gray from which she tries to escape. But her situation and that of her husband, who has fallen into financial disgrace, becomes increasingly complicated, so they must turn to another family just to survive with her daughter Elena.
Madrid is the backdrop which covers a building where these three characters live in the company of Rafael and Virtues, to whom they appeal for support.
Manipulation and hypocrisy dressed as friendship
Rafael and Virtues are a couple that, in some way, welcomes Marta and Antonio in their times of crisis. However, the presence of Rafael, although not always physically, conditions and manipulates the threads of Marta's work, of their attitudes and their desires. This happens not only because of this character's status as a man, but also thanks to his economic and social status, which rises above his friends.
As terrible as it may seem, this condition allows Rafael to control everything around him, especially Antonio and his wife. In this oppressive environment, Marta, who is not satisfied, must fight for her freedom and that of Elena. When Antonio falls ill, the woman goes to work to support her family. This apparent misfortune is a secret door to opportunity, because, through her work, she meets a sophisticated lady who will change the course of the future that awaited her.
A battle between women
Men are not the only ones Marta will have to deal with in pursuit of their emancipation, because The women around him play an equally important rival role. These are presented as envious ladies who see in the protagonist a reflection of what they would have wanted for their lives and that they did not have the courage or luck to find. For its part, the church takes its place in history because of its influence, using its power as it wishes.
The wealthiest families in this society have two faces: the one they show to the world and the one they carry in secret. The latter revels in injustice, secrecy, ill-gotten privileges and the repression of the less fortunate. Men, openly devoted to the home and the church, are clandestine sinners, addicted to brothels, who commit the audacity to judge the morality of their fellow men.
About the author, Paloma Sánchez Garnica
Paloma Sánchez Garnica
Paloma Sánchez Garnica was born on April 1, 1962, in Madrid, Spain. She studied Geography and History, although she did not complete either course. Later, He studied law and obtained a degree as a jurist., an area in which he worked for several years.
However, In the end he left his job to dedicate himself completely to letters, one of his great passions.. As a writer, she has been the winner of several awards, such as the Fernando Lara Award in 2016.
Likewise, The author was a finalist for the Planeta Prize thanks to her most recent novel: Last days in Berlin. Paloma Sánchez Garnica has been praised internationally for the narrative quality of her pen, through which she has written books, almost always historical, with a marked reference to the social problems of the various periods that she has addressed.
Other books by Paloma Sánchez Garnica
- The great arcanum (2006);
- The breeze from the East (2009);
- The soul of the stones (2010);
- The three wounds (2012);
- The sonata of silence (2014);
- My memory is stronger than your forgetfulness (2016);
- Sofia's Suspicion (2019);
- Last days in Berlin (2021)