Keepers of the House

The first book, which was a best-seller and award-winner, has been released in a new edition. It tells the story of Lydia Sinclair, who fell in love with Don Diego Beltrán and left England for his Andean estate. Benito, the family's oldest retainer, tells her of romance and battle, drought and pestilence, splendor and suffering. The characters in the valley's tumultuous history rise up before Lydia, including Admiral Silence, General Mario, María Candelaria, La Comadre Matilide, and Cristóbal Beltrán.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2024
Publisher: Amaurea Press

A fresh iteration of the highly acclaimed and award-winning inaugural novel. Upon their arrival in the Andean valley, the Beltrán brothers discovered enchanting twin sisters, the final descendants of a renowned conquistador. Through these sisters, the Beltrán dynasty emerged, ruling the valley for two centuries before succumbing to obscurity. Two centuries later, Lydia Sinclair, barely out of school, fell in love with Don Diego Beltrán and abandoned her homeland in England for her husband's Andean estate. Benito, the family's oldest retainer, believed that Lydia's presence would ensure the valley's legacy would endure:

Fate has guided you to us, to document our decline. In the quiet night, he shared with her tales of romance and warfare, drought and pestilence, splendor and suffering. The characters in the valley's turbulent history materialized before Lydia, as if they still roamed the dusty slopes: Admiral Silence, who chose to remain silent forever, disdaining companionship; General Mario, who foretold the valley's ruin while succumbing to leprosy behind a mask; María Candelaria, whose captivating beauty and untamed nature led to the massacre of nearly half of the Beltráns; La Comadre Matilide, the peasant woman of striking ugliness, who was bribed to remain in people's homes due to the perceived ill omen of her departure; the elderly sisters, who sat amidst vast collections of china and engaged in card games, risking their every move; and finally, Cristóbal Beltrán, who observed the sand in an hourglass, ageless and all-knowing, indestructible.

From the chaos and decay, an extraordinary narrative and language emerged, brimming with remarkable fertility. This new edition accompanies the release of Lisa's new memoir, Better Broken Than New.

Weight: 271g
Dimension: 216 x 135 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914278167