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Cathedral of the Sea
Cathedral of the Sea follows the fortunes of the Estanyol family, from their peasant roots to a son, Arnau, who flees the land only to realize spectacular wealth and devastating problems.
During Arnau's lifetime Barcelona becomes a city of light and darkness, dominated by the construction of the city's great pride -- the cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar -- and by its shame,...more
During Arnau's lifetime Barcelona becomes a city of light and darkness, dominated by the construction of the city's great pride -- the cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar -- and by its shame,...more
Mass Market Paperback, 640 pages
Published
March 24th 2008
(first published 2006)
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Jan 17, 2012
Patrizia O
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
a tutti coloro che piacciono i romanzi storici
Shelves:
romanzi-storici
La vera protagonista del libro è Barcellona (e i suoi cittadini), orgogliosa e libera dai molti vincoli che le altre città della Spagna sono invece tenute a rispettare.
Le tre stellette sono un riconoscimento all’autore per lo sforzo di rendere la storia di Barcellona (dal 1320 al 1384) appassionante come un romanzo, senza trascurare gli aspetti più quotidiani della società dell’epoca: ho imparato molte più cose con questo libro che sui libri di scuola, dove invece sono appena accennate. Questo...more
Le tre stellette sono un riconoscimento all’autore per lo sforzo di rendere la storia di Barcellona (dal 1320 al 1384) appassionante come un romanzo, senza trascurare gli aspetti più quotidiani della società dell’epoca: ho imparato molte più cose con questo libro che sui libri di scuola, dove invece sono appena accennate. Questo...more
3 likes · like · see review
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É uma leitura bonita mas depois de se ler 'O' livro sobre este assunto ("Os Pilares da Terra", de Ken Follett) e como não tem uma tão grande densidade de pormenores como esse, sentimos que ficamos um pouco aquém do que queríamos.
É assim como se fosse uma versão mais simplificada. Talvez esta opinião não se sustenha se fôr lido em primeiro lugar.
De qualquer forma, não deixa de ser um livro com muito interesse porque, ao contrário do que acontece nos 'pilares', a Catedral do Mar existe mesmo, é u...more
É assim como se fosse uma versão mais simplificada. Talvez esta opinião não se sustenha se fôr lido em primeiro lugar.
De qualquer forma, não deixa de ser um livro com muito interesse porque, ao contrário do que acontece nos 'pilares', a Catedral do Mar existe mesmo, é u...more
2 likes · like · see review
I read the book in English and perhaps it was not that good in translation. However, as a person who absolutely loved "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett, I thought that this was just a poor copy of the epic novel. "Cathedral of the Sea" is worth a read if you like historical fiction, but that's pretty much about it.
13 likes · like · see review
Arnau Estanyol, el protagonista de esta novela de ficción histórica, se erige como la epítome del héroe, o en su defecto del súperhombre, con la integridad, el valor, la bondad, y todas las cualidades que desearíamos que definieran al humano: el ser humano ideal.
Aunque esto resulte en un personaje que, en mi opinión, decanta en una idealización extrema y digna de relatos épicos de los autores clásicos, de otra época, es imposible no dejarse atrapar tanto por la simpatía natural que Arnau inspira...more
Aunque esto resulte en un personaje que, en mi opinión, decanta en una idealización extrema y digna de relatos épicos de los autores clásicos, de otra época, es imposible no dejarse atrapar tanto por la simpatía natural que Arnau inspira...more
I know very little about the history of Barcelona. Thus, when I saw this book I eagerly bought it. The book didn't disappoint in telling about the history of the place. It was fascinating to know the economy, culture and people of the setting in the 14th century. The author clearly did a lot of research to present a story that involves almost all the levels of a medieval society - the nobility, the peasants, the merchants and the outcasts. It all revolves around Arnau Estanyol, the son of a serf...more
2 likes · like · see review
When the sales person at the local book store recommended Cathedral of the Sea to me, I was reluctant to give in to her high praise. Since one of my favorite books is historical fiction novel, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett which, like Cathedral of the Sea, is about the building of a cathedral during Medieval times, I thought it would be impossible not to compare the two, and that no book would ever be able to outshine the brilliance of Follett's masterpiece. Well, I should learn to alw...more
2 likes · like · see review
Oct 07, 2011
Ðɑηηɑ
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Historical fiction and beautiful heartbreaking stories of love fans
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
3-stars,
2011,
male-authors,
spain,
hebrew,
paperback,
own,
shortly-reviewed,
pub-2000s,
spanish-author
I think this is sort of a must read to eveyrbody who enjoys historical fiction, no matter what kind of it. This is the heartbreaking story of a man, that all his loves were taken away from him - his wife, his son, his freedom, his city and his social status - after spending his whole life working for them. A man whose sad stories you will hear, along with a building of a great cathedral - the cathedral of the Sea - the story of this man is part of a beautiful city and you will love the writing....more
Students of the history of European political and economic systems might find the description of how Catalan nationhood evolved from feudal to syndicated mercantilism; free men might escape an existence as a vassal under an exploitative feudal lord by fleeing to a free city, like Barcelona, and joining a guild as an apprentice to become a potter, carpenter, or a stevedore. The king of Catalonia negotiates his checks and balances: the needs of his nobles, so that they don't seek the protection of...more
I gave up on this book at page 252 of 600. The very beginning was pretty interesting, and I found the character of a young man essentially raising his baby alone (with his remote wife) as a successful medieval serf in pastoral Spain very compelling. I liked the stuff through the pottery workshop, too, but after that? It felt to me like the story dropped off for the sake of cramming a historical setting with stock characters to represent different aspects of life in 14th Century Barcelona. There...more
7 likes · like · see review
My parents gave me this Spanish-language book for my birthday, and I have to hand it to them for gifting me such a great combination of two of my favorite interests: fiction and history. The novel is set in 14th century Catalunia, in Barcelona in particular, and though driven by strong characters and a twisting plot that quickly drew me in, the history of the Catalans and their premier city on the sea plays a great role in this work. The author, obviously a Catalan proud of his people's history...more
Nov 26, 2008
facebrooker
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
gente interesada en la novela histórica, aquellos que conocen Barcelona o los que se la imaginan.
No leí este libro, lo viví... fue mientras trabajaba en la galería de arte y en los ratos libres adelantaba mi lectura en plenas calles del Barrio Gótico. Una forma muy didáctica, interesante e inteligente de conocer historia sobre Cataluña. Al principio no quería animarme a leerlo porque creí que era una especie de Código Da Vinci, pero resulto ser una excelente adquisición. Tanto que me animé a cargar el tabique desde Barcelona hasta México!. Altamente recomendable... lo terminé de leer en una...more
Impresionante obra narrativa, en la que se puede encarnizar la vida de Arnau Estanyol, una vida llena de altibajos y aventuras trepidantes te mantienen atado al libro hasta que terminas la ultima pagina.
Durante todo ese tiempo la historia de trasfondo es la construccion de la catedral de Barcelona, a mi parecer mas bien es la historia de la construccion y su relacion con Arnau pero bueno esa es otra historia.
La maestria con la que Falcones describe cada detallle, cada momento de la historia hac...more
Durante todo ese tiempo la historia de trasfondo es la construccion de la catedral de Barcelona, a mi parecer mas bien es la historia de la construccion y su relacion con Arnau pero bueno esa es otra historia.
La maestria con la que Falcones describe cada detallle, cada momento de la historia hac...more
I had to read this because it's set in Barcelona where Marc is from and his brother and mother have already read it in spanish and said it was worth reading.
It is set in 12th century Catalonia and follows the story of Arnau born to a runaway landless serf who becomes a port worker hauling stones for the building of a cathedral in Barcelona and ends up as a money changer - a saga kind of book spanning 2-3 generations with lots of history, plot and some page-turning suspense in the second half of...more
It is set in 12th century Catalonia and follows the story of Arnau born to a runaway landless serf who becomes a port worker hauling stones for the building of a cathedral in Barcelona and ends up as a money changer - a saga kind of book spanning 2-3 generations with lots of history, plot and some page-turning suspense in the second half of...more
This was a long book, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but by the end of the first chapter, I was hooked. I really enjoyed this one, I loved that the main character changed from father to son, which added quite a bit of dynamic.
A bit slow at times, but the action/plot always picked up not long after, and I pretty much couldn’t put it down. It was nice to see a nice historical fiction littered with true pieces as well as a different setting. The majority of historical fiction I have...more
A bit slow at times, but the action/plot always picked up not long after, and I pretty much couldn’t put it down. It was nice to see a nice historical fiction littered with true pieces as well as a different setting. The majority of historical fiction I have...more
One of the great canards of medieval life that have been promoted to outraged titillation in the world of entertainment is the putative droit du seigneur, the right of a feudal lord to bed the wives of his serfs on their wedding night. There is almost no evidence that such a right ever existed in law, though it is undeniable that serfs were abused and their wives very likely forced into granting sexual favours. Still, this is a favourite trope among writers of historical fiction (equally, direct...more
‘De kathedraal van de zee’ - met deze historische roman debuteerde de Spaanse advocaat Ildefonso Falcones in 2006. Gelijk de opbouw van de kathedraal wordt de levensloop van Arnau beschreven, die maatschappelijk gezien steeds hogerop opklimt en hierbij de nodige tegenslagen moet verwerken.
Het verhaal speelt zich af in en rondom Barcelona tussen 1320 en 1384: een trotse handelsstad, die zich met succes staande houdt in de woelige politieke wereld van de Middellandse Zee.
De Catalaanse boer Bernat...more
Het verhaal speelt zich af in en rondom Barcelona tussen 1320 en 1384: een trotse handelsstad, die zich met succes staande houdt in de woelige politieke wereld van de Middellandse Zee.
De Catalaanse boer Bernat...more
If I could give the book a two and a half star rating, I would. The story takes place in the 1300s, mainly in Barcelona,and centers around Arnau Estanyol.He is taken to Barcleona by his father as a small child where he meets Joan (a boy) a couple of years younger than himself, whom he befriends. Arnau, lacking a mother's love, turns to the statue of the Virgin Mary, in the church of Santa Maria, for cumfort. This church is being rebuilt into a cathedral, through the labour of the working people...more
This is everything I love about historical novels and family sagas: big, sweeping, panoramic, enough history to understand the context, enough detail to put me in that time and place, characters that I care about, a little romance, a lot of adventure, and a satisfying ending. This caught my attention in connection with my Moby-Dick project because it had the word "sea" in the title. Other than that, there is no connection. It is not a sea story. For information and pictures of the cathdral see h...more
This long (18 CD) book is a gripping tale that follows the lives Bernard Estanyol and his son Arnau. Bernard was born a serf, and when his father dies his lord takes advantage of numerous rights that enrage and frustrate Bernard.
As a last resort he and his infant son Arnau escape to Barcelona, where they take refuge with Bernard's sisters family, a family that Bernard and his father helped to be successful as potter artisans. The city is just beginning two large building projects, a cathedral an...more
As a last resort he and his infant son Arnau escape to Barcelona, where they take refuge with Bernard's sisters family, a family that Bernard and his father helped to be successful as potter artisans. The city is just beginning two large building projects, a cathedral an...more
La catedral del mar de Ildefonso Falcones de Sierra:
Siglo XIV. La ciudad de Barcelona se encuentra en su momento de mayor prosperidad; ha crecido hacia la Ribera, el humilde barrio de los pescadores, cuyos habitantes deciden construir, con el dinero de unos y el esfuerzo de otros, el mayor templo mariano jamás conocido: Santa María de la Mar. Una construcción que es paralela a la azarosa historia de Arnau, un siervo de la tierra que huye de los abusos de su señor feudal y se refugia en Barcelona...more
Siglo XIV. La ciudad de Barcelona se encuentra en su momento de mayor prosperidad; ha crecido hacia la Ribera, el humilde barrio de los pescadores, cuyos habitantes deciden construir, con el dinero de unos y el esfuerzo de otros, el mayor templo mariano jamás conocido: Santa María de la Mar. Una construcción que es paralela a la azarosa historia de Arnau, un siervo de la tierra que huye de los abusos de su señor feudal y se refugia en Barcelona...more
Jul 12, 2012
Mathilda
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Historical novel, medieval Europe lovers
Recommended to Mathilda by:
My mother
Shelves:
spanish,
good-books
When I started reading this book, the abundant critics about it that I had received were the cause of creating great expectations for it, and as it often happens when you have great expectations for something, you start readin hoping that your expectations won't be betrayed.
And they were'nt. Slowly, I started to pay more and more attention to what I was reading - forgetting that the Catalan writer had written the story in Spanish instead of his rightful language (which I felt as an insult to hi...more
And they were'nt. Slowly, I started to pay more and more attention to what I was reading - forgetting that the Catalan writer had written the story in Spanish instead of his rightful language (which I felt as an insult to hi...more
This book started off so powerfully, I wondered how the pace and intensity would be kept up. I should not have worried about that, because the complete lack of plot in the second half of the book erased all memory of what went before.
The first half is a hard hitting, almost Martina Cole like, in the way a very important storyline is woven. I felt uncomfortable reading it, which shows the skill the writer possesses. The story was beautifully described, the research and attention to detail faultle...more
The first half is a hard hitting, almost Martina Cole like, in the way a very important storyline is woven. I felt uncomfortable reading it, which shows the skill the writer possesses. The story was beautifully described, the research and attention to detail faultle...more
This book is one of the results of my long wandering around the library. Ever since I've read The Shadow of the Wind and then other Zafon's books I wonder around Spanish corner to find something like those books. (No, I haven't succeed yet, but I won't give up.) During that time I somehow started to dream about Barcelona. Spain was never my "dreamland" (that has always been Brazil), but after reading all those beautiful descriptions of Barcelona I have to say If I could choose where to live one...more
3 likes · like · see review
Was für ein tolles Hörbuch!
Über 23 Stunden ist man gefangen im Barcelona des Mittelalters und fiebert mit Arnau Estanyol, der Hauptfigur dieses Romans, mit.
Ich habe oft gelesen, dass man Ildefonso Falcones nicht mit Ken Follett vergleichen kann und ich frage mich ehrlich gesagt, wieso? Gut, hier spielt der Bau der Kathedrale nicht den Mittelpunkt, auch wenn sie das Leben Arnaus beeinflusst, aber das Bild, das er vom Mittelalter zeichnet, die Geschehnisse, die Atmosphäre des Buches haben mich gen...more
Über 23 Stunden ist man gefangen im Barcelona des Mittelalters und fiebert mit Arnau Estanyol, der Hauptfigur dieses Romans, mit.
Ich habe oft gelesen, dass man Ildefonso Falcones nicht mit Ken Follett vergleichen kann und ich frage mich ehrlich gesagt, wieso? Gut, hier spielt der Bau der Kathedrale nicht den Mittelpunkt, auch wenn sie das Leben Arnaus beeinflusst, aber das Bild, das er vom Mittelalter zeichnet, die Geschehnisse, die Atmosphäre des Buches haben mich gen...more
Het verhaal speelt zich af in het Barcelona (mijn favoriete stad!) van de veertiende eeuw. De periode waarover het zich uitstrekt is zo goed als aansluitend aan dat van Jonkvrouw, dat met name de politieke verwikkelingen 'De kathedraal van de zee' tot een logisch leesvervolg maakten.
Een jonge horige boer, Bernat Estanyol, krijgt op zijn trouwdag onverwacht bezoek van zijn heer. De heer wenst gebruik te maken van zijn recht om de eerste nacht met de jonge bruid Francesca op te eisen. Tot overmaat...more
Een jonge horige boer, Bernat Estanyol, krijgt op zijn trouwdag onverwacht bezoek van zijn heer. De heer wenst gebruik te maken van zijn recht om de eerste nacht met de jonge bruid Francesca op te eisen. Tot overmaat...more
This historical novel tells the life of a man, Arnau estanyol, which oversaw the construction of the great Cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona. The Cathedral of the people, built by the people and for the people. The character's life begins with his parents, and Francesca Bernart estanyol, peasants in a feudal to Barcelona. The mother is compelled to serve the feudal house and separated from her son, the father escapes to Barcelona with Arnau. In the city looking for his sister to help...more
Jan 19, 2011
Kelanth, numquam risit ubi dracones vivunt
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
romanzo-storico,
favorites
Devo dire che sono sempre molto affascinato dai libri che si svolgono in archi temporali molto lunghi, mi affascianano perchè portano dei cambiamenti più o meno radicali all'interno dell'opera. Questo libro è bello, bello davvero, anche per chi non è propriamente appassionato del genere "Romanzo Storico" (chi lo è si leccherà i baffi a leggerlo, per non dire chi è appassionato di Medioevo). Il perchè è semplice. Qui c'è secondo me più di ogni altra cosa la Passione, la passione carnale, la passi...more
We bought this book in English ages ago so Malcolm could read it too, and he did. I only picked it up recently after we watched on telly "Pillars of the Earth" and I was in the mood for cathedrals and the middle ages.
It is the story of how a good man, Arnau, who lives in medieval Catalonia, goes from rags to riches aided mostly by his slave Guillem. This slave is such a good financial advisor that I reckon if he came back from the Otherworld today he would solve the global recession in no time!
T...more
It is the story of how a good man, Arnau, who lives in medieval Catalonia, goes from rags to riches aided mostly by his slave Guillem. This slave is such a good financial advisor that I reckon if he came back from the Otherworld today he would solve the global recession in no time!
T...more
Recommend it to anyone who
- appreciates historical novels with a lot of research behind them
- loves medieval type of fantasy (Song of Fire and Ice)
- is particularly interested in Spanish and Catalan history.
Of course, there are lots of references to real historical personalities and events, but there is also knowledge about Catalan traditions, laws and way of life in the 14 century. Barcelona in its bloom, a man seeking freedom for himself and for his son. These are the two things which I found...more
- appreciates historical novels with a lot of research behind them
- loves medieval type of fantasy (Song of Fire and Ice)
- is particularly interested in Spanish and Catalan history.
Of course, there are lots of references to real historical personalities and events, but there is also knowledge about Catalan traditions, laws and way of life in the 14 century. Barcelona in its bloom, a man seeking freedom for himself and for his son. These are the two things which I found...more
I read it in the german translation, as I borrowed it from a friend, and found it an easy and satisfying read to relax.
It was interesting to see how similar the spanish middle age was to the german and the author tried to show as many facettes as possibly, which sometimes makes for strange transitions but doesn`t hurt in the overall novel.
What one also does see is that he studied law and tried to incorporate as many as possibly law cases from that time but still manages to keep it understandabl...more
It was interesting to see how similar the spanish middle age was to the german and the author tried to show as many facettes as possibly, which sometimes makes for strange transitions but doesn`t hurt in the overall novel.
What one also does see is that he studied law and tried to incorporate as many as possibly law cases from that time but still manages to keep it understandabl...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodreads Librari...: Change synopsis/description | 3 | 34 | Oct 25, 2012 11:24am | |
| Historical Fictio...: August/September 2012: Cathedral Of The Sea | 47 | 170 | Sep 10, 2012 05:43am | |
| Who told the secret? | 5 | 57 | Sep 01, 2011 02:48am | |
| Goodreads Italia: La cattedrale del mare di Idelfonso Falcones - Commenti e discussione | 44 | 43 | Aug 30, 2011 12:24am |
ldefonso Falcones de Sierra, married and the father of four children, is a lawyer who lives and works in Barcelona. The cathedral of the sea is his homage to a people capable of building, in the then unusual span of fifty-four years, what is undoubtedly one of the most lovely churches in the world.
A historical novel that has become an unprecedented bestseller, recognized by both readers and critic...more
More about Ildefonso Falcones...
A historical novel that has become an unprecedented bestseller, recognized by both readers and critic...more
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“The past doesn't exist. There is nothing to be sorry for. Today is when we start to live. Look... look at the sea. The sea has no past. It is just there. It will never ask us to explain. The stars, the moon are there to light our way, to shine for us. What do they care what might have happened in the past? They are accompanying us, and are happy with that; can you see them shine? The stars are twinkling in the sky; would they do that if the past mattered? Wouldn't there be a huge storm if God wanted to punish us? We are alone, you and I, with no past, no memories, no guilt, nothing that can stand in the way of... our love.”
—
30 people liked it
“Nunca te fíes de los que dicen servir a Dios. Te hablará con serenidad y buenas palabras, tan cultas que no alcanzarás a entenderlas. Tratarán de convencerte con argumentos que sólo ellos saben hilvanar hasta adueñares de tu razón y tu conciencia. Se presentarán a ti como hombres bondadosos que dirán querer salvarnos del mal y de la tentación, pero en realidad su opinión sobre nosotros está escrita y todos ellos, como soldados de Cristo que se llaman, siguen con fidelidad aquello que está escrito en los libros. Sus palabras son excusas y sus razones, idénticas a las que tú podrías darle a un mocoso.”
—
2 people liked it
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