{"id":60429,"date":"2016-01-17T07:40:41","date_gmt":"2016-01-17T06:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/?p=60429"},"modified":"2016-05-25T14:16:54","modified_gmt":"2016-05-25T12:16:54","slug":"the-5-greatest-books-set-in-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/the-5-greatest-books-set-in-barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 greatest books set in Barcelona"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Barcelona is a vibrant city with a rich and varied history dating back well over 2000 years. These ages have giving the place a distinct identity of its own, one that is captured brilliantly in the\u00a0<strong>following books.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BCN-Book-Blog-Image-2.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-60437 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BCN-Book-Blog-Image-2-186x300.jpg\" alt=\"The 5 greatest books set in Barcelona\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/the-5-greatest-books-set-in-barcelona\/#The_Time_of_the_Doves_-_Merce_Rodoreda\" title=\"The Time of the Doves &#8211; \u00a0Merc\u00e8 Rodoreda\">The Time of the Doves &#8211; \u00a0Merc\u00e8 Rodoreda<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/the-5-greatest-books-set-in-barcelona\/#The_Shadow_of_The_Wind_-_Carlos_Ruiz_Zafon\" title=\"The Shadow of The Wind &#8211; \u00a0Carlos Ruiz Zaf\u00f3n\">The Shadow of The Wind &#8211; \u00a0Carlos Ruiz Zaf\u00f3n<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/the-5-greatest-books-set-in-barcelona\/#The_Angst-Ridden_Executive_-_Manuel_Vazquez_Montalban\" title=\"The Angst-Ridden Executive \u2013 Manuel Vazquez Montalban\">The Angst-Ridden Executive \u2013 Manuel Vazquez Montalban<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/the-5-greatest-books-set-in-barcelona\/#Nada_-_Carmen_Laforet\" title=\"Nada \u2013 Carmen Laforet\">Nada \u2013 Carmen Laforet<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/the-5-greatest-books-set-in-barcelona\/#The_Lonely_Hearts_Club_-_Raul_Nunez\" title=\"The Lonely Hearts Club \u2013 Raul Nunez\">The Lonely Hearts Club \u2013 Raul Nunez<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Time_of_the_Doves_-_Merce_Rodoreda\"><\/span>The Time of the Doves &#8211; \u00a0Merc\u00e8 Rodoreda<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Set before, during and after the conflicts, The Time of Doves is a faithful chronicle of the city at the time, aided by its use of stream of consciousness writing style. Written by the exiled Rodoreda in Catalan, the novel is now regarded as one the <strong>key pieces of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/famous-catalan-artists\/\" target=\"_blank\">Catalan<\/a> literature<\/strong> as well as one of the greatest Spanish books released after the war. On paper a simple tale of a na\u00efve shopkeeper and her relationship with two men, the book\u2019s magic is in its exploration of its protagonist and the rich manner the tale unfolds.<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BCN-Book-Blog-Image-3.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-60438 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BCN-Book-Blog-Image-3-194x300.jpg\" alt=\"The 5 greatest books set in Barcelona\" width=\"194\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Shadow_of_The_Wind_-_Carlos_Ruiz_Zafon\"><\/span>The Shadow of The Wind &#8211; \u00a0Carlos Ruiz Zaf\u00f3n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>most famous<\/strong> entry on this list, Zaf\u00f3n\u2019s novel has sold over 15 million copies and was admired by critics internationally. An intoxicating mix of love, mystery and fairy tale the book follows a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/where-to-buy-and-sell-affordable-books-in-barcelona\/\" target=\"_blank\">book dealer\u2019s<\/a> son as he tries to hunt down the works of a shadowy author who\u2019s texts have been systematically destroyed. Using post-war Barcelona adds a sense of sobriety to a narrative that often touches the fantastical, helping create a gothic tone and nail-biting tension. A first class page-turner while also acting as a window into the heart of the city.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Angst-Ridden_Executive_-_Manuel_Vazquez_Montalban\"><\/span>The Angst-Ridden Executive \u2013 Manuel Vazquez Montalban<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The third in the immensely popular series of Pepe Carvalho stories has Montalban\u2019s gourmet, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/cava-catalonias-sparkling-wine\/\" target=\"_blank\">wine-loving<\/a> philosopher of a detective investigates the death of an old acquaintance. It\u2019s a great blend of mystery, politics, and sex but what makes it noteworthy is its description of Barcelona as a whole. A humorous and intelligent read that really captures the city, especially <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/las-ramblas\/\" target=\"_blank\">Las Ramblas<\/a>, as well as the political climate of the time. A highly accessible way to explore this period with a host of memorable characters.<\/p>\n<p>Related Article:\u00a0Alta\u00efr: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/altair-barcelonas-travel-bookshop\/\" target=\"_blank\">Barcelona\u2019s travel bookshop<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BCN-Book-Blog-Image-1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-60439 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/BCN-Book-Blog-Image-1-197x300.jpg\" alt=\"The 5 greatest books set in Barcelona\" width=\"197\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nada_-_Carmen_Laforet\"><\/span>Nada \u2013 Carmen Laforet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This <strong>awarding winning debut novel<\/strong> from existential writer Carmen Laforet caused quite the stir in Barcelona when first released. Not an overly political tale, passing the strict censorship rules of the time, the novel still captures the post war city beautifully. Its semi-autobiographical premise deals with an orphan named Andrea, who like the author leaves the Canary Islands to live with her Grandmother in the city with a desire to study literature. Soon a sweeping story of black markets, gambling dens and abuse unfolds to devastating effect.<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Lonely_Hearts_Club_-_Raul_Nunez\"><\/span>The Lonely Hearts Club \u2013 Raul Nunez<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If Bukowski did Barcelona. Nunez\u2019s pre-Olympics set novella is filled with widows, dwarfs, perverts and all the outskirts of the city. Absurd and vivid in equal measure the story follows a seedy needy night porter as he joins the titular club and soon has his life unravel further because of it. The city\u2019s charm is truly brought to the page as Plaza Real, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/movies-barcelona\/\" target=\"_blank\">Barrio Chino<\/a>\u00a0and more are used as a backdrop for the protagonist\u2019s grotesque adventures. Not for the faint of heart\u2026<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: none;\"\n    class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-valign-bottom kksr-align-left \"\n    data-id=\"60429\"\n    data-slug=\"\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 150px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-legend\">\n            <strong class=\"kksr-score\">5<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">\/<\/span>\n        <strong>5<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">(<\/span>\n        <strong class=\"kksr-count\">1<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">\n            vote        <\/span>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">)<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Barcelona is a vibrant city with a rich and varied history dating back well over 2000 years. These ages have giving the place a distinct identity of its own, one that is captured brilliantly in the\u00a0following books. Table of Contents The Time of the Doves &#8211; \u00a0Merc\u00e8 RodoredaThe Shadow of The Wind &#8211; \u00a0Carlos Ruiz [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47,"featured_media":60430,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4349],"tags":[3289,3288,3290,3291,3295,3296,3300,3293],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60429"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60429"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60429\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60483,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60429\/revisions\/60483"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}