A new historical novel by author Roger Bastida, winner of the Premi Santa Eulàlia de novel·la de Barcelona, explores the origins of Barcelona's iconic Passeig de Gràcia through the lives of three Catalan families. The book offers a fresh perspective on the famous avenue, moving beyond its well-known Modernisme architecture and the affluent bourgeois families of the 1900s.
Uncovering the Working Class History
Bastida highlights the often-overlooked working class, particularly domestic staff, whose contributions were fundamental to the functioning of these grand Modernisme households. "When we think of Passeig de Gràcia in 1900, we remember Modernisme and the great bourgeois families," Bastida explained. "But it was necessary to talk about the working class of the avenue, who are the domestic workers, so essential to understanding how these Modernisme houses functioned."
Bastida described his work as "a historical reconstruction, a game of mirrors," where he meticulously uses both fictionalised and authentic historical sources directly from archives. His aim, he stated, is to "tell a sentimental story of one of Europe's most important avenues." The novel promises to offer readers a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Passeig de Gràcia's social fabric and its development, shedding light on the diverse lives that shaped this significant Barcelona landmark.
