The memory of water is the first work of fiction of the journalist Teresa Viejo, who surprises us with a tale of intrigue, love and passion set in the twenties and thirties of the century past, but located in a place that actually existed: the seaside resort of La Isabela, in the province of Guadalajara, who disappeared in the mid-twentieth century under the waters of the swamp Buendía. In this framework idílico, aunque no lo fue durante toda su historia, se desarrolla la vida de la familia Montemayor, cuya hija, Amada, se erige en protagonista de esta novela, al menos en gran parte de ella. El Real Sitio de La Isabela fue creado en 1826 por Fernando VII, y recibió este nombre en honor a su esposa Isabel de Braganza. Muy pronto, gracias a la existencia de fuentes termales, se convirtió en un balneario de moda entre la alta burguesía de la zona, que acudía allí a curarse de multitud de dolencias. Mucho más tarde, durante la Guerra Civil, se convirtió en algo muy distinto, un hospital psiquiátrico, para pasar a dormir bajo las aguas del pantano desde marzo de 1955. Hoy en día, puesto que el nivel water has gone down, you can see the ruins of what had once been one of the fashion centers of the English bourgeoisie, whose fame allowed to develop around a network of homes and buildings associated with the activity Bathing.
was a visit that the author made this place that made this novel was born in his head. It is clear that Teresa has been well documented Viejo when writing about this unusual shelter, although the novel's characters are mostly invented. This is the Montemayor family history, a bourgeois family who bought the resort in the 20's and took him to the zenith of his fame and prestige. But the so-called Curse of the Isabela, as the neighbors knew, would bring ruin and disgrace to those used so much effort in this task (the Montemayor also an invention of the author).
The book is divided into two distinct parts. In fact can be read almost like two different books. The first presents a web of intrigue where two deaths, which break the traditional quiet resort, become the focus of the story. In this first part the presence of Beloved is rather testimonial, it is still a small child. The real protagonists are others: the sheriff investigating the case, Ginés Fuentes, medical spa, Samuel Millares, and the owner of the site, Ernesto Montemayor. A parade around a whole bunch of characters, each more picturesque, some a bit unnecessary in my view, that give life to the spa and they seem to turn its back on the tragic events in it are developed. Once the mystery is a series of misfortunes that Montemayor do decide to get rid of the spa, thus ending its period of prosperity.
The second part takes place mostly during the turbulent thirties, with the historical context the Second Republic and the Civil War. In these pages Amada going to become the undisputed star, as does a trip that was his childhood home to find completely transformed, now used as a psychiatric hospital. However, the trip will be worth it because something happens it will change your life forever.
The novel is read with interest, more in the second part in the first. The result is therefore somewhat uneven, because it seems as if both parties did not have much connection between them. Appear well-drawn characters, and Teresa Viejo pen gives many nuances. I really liked his style, care and worked with great sensitivity. Except for some details without too much believe that the author comes out with a very good start for this first foray into the world of narrative, and from here I can only wish a long and prolific career. It is a masterpiece, but entertaining and leaves a good taste. And above all well written, something that, at least this servant, greatly appreciated when you open the pages of a book. When all is said and done, it is to enjoy (or feel good) with a history and at the same time, how about telling. That is what good literature.
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