Ildefonso Falcones

Julianne Douglas · Post by **Julianne Douglas** » Wed January 21st, 2009, 11:50 pm

Has anyone read Falcones's Cathedral of the Sea, translated from the Spanish last spring? It's set in 14th century Barcelona. My agent brought it up and I was wondering if any of you had read it and what you thought.

diamondlil · Post by **diamondlil** » Thu January 22nd, 2009, 12:52 am

I haven't read this myself, but I know some people who have read it and loved it! I am hoping that my library will get it in, but it hasn't happened yet.

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Thu January 22nd, 2009, 8:14 am

It's on my TBR pile. I know a couple of people who have read and enjoyed it.

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Thu January 22nd, 2009, 7:50 pm

I haven't read it, but I've heard very good things about it. It's on my mental TBR list somewhere - so many books, so little time!

donroc · Post by **donroc** » Thu January 22nd, 2009, 8:53 pm

Also on my TBR, and may Spain become the next hot HF area.

Julianne Douglas · Post by **Julianne Douglas** » Thu January 22nd, 2009, 10:08 pm

Thanks for everyone's input! I have a request on it from the library. Gotta get Signora Da Vinci read first, though, for a review.

gyrehead · Post by **gyrehead** » Fri January 23rd, 2009, 2:23 am

It's hard not to compare this to Pillars of the Earth. But they are also quite different even when they have a similarity. Less than POTE, it still tends to veer a bit towards the soap opera in a historical setting as opposed to outright historical fiction at weird times. But the advantage this has is being based on an actual place and people and circumstances. So it stays more firmly in the historical fiction arena. Much more firmly.

I liked the book but then again when I first read POTE, I liked that as well. But in a "in spite of its serious flaws" way of it simpyl being a fast paced entertaining book that was cheesy as all get out but tolerable in the way that some summer movies that go BOOM can satisify.

COTS is rather more serious in terms of historical fact, the author delving into particular records as opposed to willy-nilly slap and dab of general historical fact and neverminding whether such fits in that particular spot.

Julianne Douglas · Post by **Julianne Douglas** » Fri January 23rd, 2009, 4:25 am

Thanks, gyrehead, I've read POTE too, and, like you, liked it as a story despite its historical flaws. I'm hoping COTS will be as enjoyable but meatier. I've read the excerpt on Amazon, and the verdict is still out. Have to wait for my interlibrary loan request to come in. [tapping fingers impatiently]

JaneConsumer · Post by **JaneConsumer** » Sun August 16th, 2009, 12:04 am

I just finished Cathedral of the Sea. I quite enjoyed it. I find it more comparable to The Religion by Tim Willocks, which I also liked.

It centers around the Catalan Inquisition. But you really don't get to that point until about 250-300 pages in. The author gives you a real introduction to serfdom first in a compelling way.

I also like the fact that he ends with an essay on the inquisition, which includes facts about some of the real historical figures in the novel.

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Sun August 16th, 2009, 1:12 am

[quote=""JaneConsumer""]I just finished Cathedral of the Sea. I quite enjoyed it. I find it more comparable to The Religion by Tim Willocks, which I also liked.

It centers around the Catalan Inquisition. But you really don't get to that point until about 250-300 pages in. The author gives you a real introduction to serfdom first in a compelling way.

I also like the fact that he ends with an essay on the inquisition, which includes facts about some of the real historical figures in the novel.[/quote]

Hi, Jane! Glad to have you back!