The City Of Marvels by Eduardo Mendoza
Set against the backdrop of late 19th and early 20th century Barcelona, this novel follows the rise of Onofre Bouvila, a young man who arrives in the city with nothing but ambition. Through a combination of cunning, opportunism, and ruthlessness, he ascends from a penniless immigrant to a powerful and influential figure. The story intricately weaves historical events with Bouvila's personal journey, capturing the transformation of Barcelona itself as it prepares for the 1888 Universal Exposition. Themes of social mobility, corruption, and the relentless pursuit of success are explored in this richly detailed narrative.
The 2397th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1986
- Nationality
- Spanish
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 300-400
- Original Language
- Spanish
- Avg User Rating
-
(3.8)
- Alternate Titles
- - La Ciudad De Los Prodigios
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This book is on the following 2 lists:
- 16th on 100 Best Novels Written in Spanish in the Past 25 Years (Semana Magazine)
- 'The perfect library': the 196 books selected by 133 personalities (XLSemanal and Zenda)