La buena reputación
Good Reputation | Seix Barral, 2014
» Cálamo Prize 2014
» 5th reprint
A pivotal figure of the Spanish literary scene, Ignacio Martínez de Pisón gives life to an unforgettable cast of characters, touching on some of the themes closest to his heart in a finely wrought, truthful portrait of the day-to-day life and fate of a family. A wonderful read to revisit, testifying as it does to our own experience and a yearning for memories lost in the mists of time.
«It wasn’t the world’s greatest family, but it was his family,» the book reveals in its closing pages.
A sweeping family saga that takes in 30 years of Spanish history peppered with great hopes and shattered dreams, happiness and. disappointments –a novel about what we inherit from the past and the need to find a place in the world.
1950s Melilla. Samuel is a Sephardic Jew, while his wife Mercedes is a Catholic. They lead a pleasant and peaceful life thanks to a flourishing bussiness. Nevertheless, the progressive decolonization of Morocco will force Spaniards to flee the Protectorate and face a terrible dilemma—moving to a country that has never been their home or establishing themselves in the newly created state of Israel. Against this backdrop of change and uncertainty, the already middle-aged couple contemplate their future and that of their two young daughters with unease.
1970s Zaragoza. Spain is slowly waking up to the modern era. The family has grown and Mercedes fights hard to keep it together. However, an estranged daughter, a suspicious death, an unexpected theft and family conflict are making things difficult for her. And a surprising last will and testament will further complicate matters.
«A masterfully written novel, in which one family symbolizes several generations, with various interlocking themes, such as exile and exodus. A splendid novel.» Ramón Chao, Le Monde Diplomatique
*Chosen as one of the top 10 Spanish novels of 2014 by La Vanguardia: «With this book, the author inscribes the sagas of Spain’s Jewish families within the tradition of the great contemporary novel.» Xavi Ayén, La Vanguardia
«Martínez de Pisón nimbly sidesteps all the pitfalls of conventional novel writing to delve into the lives of the protagonists of this family saga. (…) Heartfelt emotion and deft plotting.» J. A. Masoliver Ródenas, La Vanguardia
«His finest novel. At once a family saga and a story of frontiers, secrets, narrow-mindedness and suspicion. (…) This novel shows us a Pisón ready to take his place among the masters.» J.M. Pozuelo Yvancos, ABC Cultural
«This novel marks a tour de force in his literary career. A tightly-plotted drama peopled by flesh-and-blood characters, with all their baggage and contradictions. (…) Pisón knows how to tell a tale and keep the reader enthralled. A huge challenge and one he passes with flying colors.» Carmen Rodríguez Santos, Leer
«A major novel in every sense of the word (…) a writer at the height of his literary powers.» Carles Geli, El País
«His storytelling skills are beyond all doubt. (A novel) written with notable constraint (…) always clear and told with a steady hand, it tightens its grip with every turn of the page, drawing the reader in thanks to his unparalleled mastery of the surprise twist, patient psychological development and finely portrayed characters. All of this with an all but imperceptible yet vivid prose style.» Francisco Solano, El País
«A great novel from a great writer. Pisón proves that he still has it in him to complete a body of work and take his place among the literary classics.» Luis Matías López, Público
«A masterfully written novel, in which one family symbolizes several generations, with various interlocking themes, such as exile and exodus. [...] A splendid novel.» Ramón Chao, Le Monde Diplomatique
«A major novel. An epic, expertly crafted tale, in which family emerges as a central theme.» Karina Sainz, Voz Pópuli
«With La buena reputación, Martínez de Pisón has confirmed his place among the finest, most reliable storytellers on the current Spanish literary scene.» David Parra, Cincuentopia
Bulgaria: Perseus; France: Galaade; Portugal: Teodolito
