A new historical novel by author Roger Bastida, exploring the origins of Barcelona's iconic Passeig de Gràcia, has won the Santa Eulàlia de novel·la de Barcelona Prize. The book offers a fresh perspective on one of Europe's most important avenues.
Bastida's novel reconstructs the avenue's history through the experiences of three Catalan families. It aims to broaden the traditional understanding of Passeig de Gràcia in the early 1900s, moving beyond the well-known Modernisme architecture and the wealthy bourgeois families who inhabited it.
According to Bastida, 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." This approach highlights the often-overlooked contributions of those who maintained the grand homes.
Blending History and Sentiment
The author described his work as "a historical reconstruction, a game of mirrors," explaining his method of using both "real historical sources, some fictionalised, others directly from the archive." This blend allows for a "sentimental story" of the avenue to emerge, providing readers with an intimate look at its development.
Bastida's narrative challenges the common perception of Passeig de Gràcia by integrating the lives of domestic workers, whose labour underpinned the opulent lifestyle of the bourgeoisie during the Modernisme period. This inclusive historical account provides a more complete picture of Barcelona's social fabric at the turn of the 20th century.
The Santa Eulàlia de novel·la de Barcelona Prize recognises the novel's contribution to Catalan literature and historical understanding. The book is expected to encourage readers to reconsider the complex social dynamics that shaped Barcelona's urban landscape and its most famous boulevard.
