Els jugadors de Whist

-39º Premi Crexells, awarded by the members of Ateneu Barcelona, for the best novel published in Catalan in 2009.

«One of the best novels of the last decade.» Joan Daniel Bezsonoff, El Periódico

«Vicenç Pagès Jordà returns with an ambitious and amusing story about a character in the midst of a pure existential crisis. Rarely does the reader have the chance to read a book as developed in its plot as The Whist Players.» Xavier Cortadellas, Presència

«It´s rare to find a novel with so many memorable scenes. Clear, funny and sparkling  like a good shandy.» Màrius Serra, La Vanguardia

«Masterly.» Lluís Muntada, El País

«Admirable written. One of the most attractive newcomers of the season.» Julià Guillamón, Culturas La Vanguardia

«An excellent novel.» Pere Antoni Pons, Avui

«A great post-modern fresco of today’s society.» La Razón

«An ingenious text, refreshing and full of pop references.» La Vanguardia

«A cult author» El Mundo

«It has an aftertaste of Stephen King, and effluvia of Tennessee Williams, a comedy, a pop journey through music and film, a treaty on the crisis at 40, a reflection on social networks.» El Món, RAC 1

«One of the most interesting novels of 2010.» Agustín Fernández Mallo, El Cultural

«One of those works that are important not only for lovers of literature, but also for the community they refer to […] It is also very entertaining. There is not one paragraph without humour, or any situation or idea presented without irony. And the truth is that the best books are also usually the most enjoyable.» Miguel Espigado, Quimera

“A riot of stylistic devices, testifying to the author’s talent, willingness to take risks and dazzling accomplishments, a symphonic display.” Esteve Miralles, Núvol

(The Whist Players) Can one revisit the last thirty years without nostalgia or a feeling of revenge? Can a novel have its scenario in Figueres and use pop culture references?  The Whist Players proves all that possible. When she´s twenty years old, the daughter of the main character marries a “skin head” who drives a mini excavator. As the wedding progresses, the past arrives bringing a castle, a game, death, an Ampurdan view unlike those in postcards. The book begins like Father of the Bride and step by step transforms itself in a mix of Mystic River and American Beauty.

"All characters are fictitious, but most dialogues are real.”

(Spain, Empúries - Catalan / JP Libros - Spanish)