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Eduardo Mendoza

City of Wonders

City of Wonders

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  • Condition: Brand new
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Eduardo Mendoza's novel "The City of the Future" follows the rise of Onofre Bouvila, a poor Catalan man who becomes a successful businessman and political dealmaker in Barcelona during the 19th and 20th centuries. The novel explores the city's transformation from a provincial town to a global city and the corrupting influence of wealth and power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 06 January 2022
Publisher: Quercus Publishing


Eduardo Mendoza's iconic novel delves into the birth of Barcelona as a global metropolis, intricately woven with the ascent of the ambitious and unscrupulous Onofre Bouvila. While rooted in historical context, this captivating tale of Catalan enterprise and Barcelonan ambition exudes a thoroughly contemporary spirit. Jonathan Franzen, in his review, notes the profound impact of discovering that his father is a fraud and a failure, prompting Onofre Bouvila to embark on a journey from rural poverty to seek his fortune in the vibrant city of Barcelona.

The year is 1888, and the Catalan capital is poised to ascend from provincial obscurity, destined to join the ranks of great cities worldwide. This transformative moment is imminent due to the upcoming Universal Exhibition, which holds the promise of igniting Barcelona's prominence on the global stage.

Through a fortunate tip-off from his landlord's daughter, Onofre Bouvila secures his first break in distributing anarchist leaflets to workers preparing for the World Fair. From these modest beginnings, he embarks on a multifaceted career that spans hair tonic sales, burglary, filmmaking, arms smuggling, and political dealmaking. His relentless pursuit of wealth and influence propels him to extraordinary heights, surpassing his wildest dreams.

However, as Barcelona's rise attracts a multitude of gangsters, crooks, and spivs, a seedy underbelly begins to take shape within Onofre's heart. The climax to his remarkable story unfolds when a second World Fair in 1929 heralds the city's apotheosis, serving as a testament to its newfound glory and influence.

Translated from the Spanish by Nick Caistor, this captivating novel offers a profound exploration of ambition, corruption, and the transformative power of urbanization.

Weight: 346g
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529410082

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