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!
The romantic element is a bit disappointing, but at least the women depicted seem realistic with the times: they are of course, victims who often endure terrible cruelty, but they manage to survive thanks to their cunning and determination. However, they are not feminists and they accept their role in society.
The author is a lawyer and much is to be learnt here about the laws and customs of medieval Catalonia. Arnau rises against the feudal lords that treat their serfs abominably, but it is difficult for me to judge whether such an attitude would be feasible at the time.
And of course, the Inquisition, and lots of stones to be carried for the cathedral.
My dad is re-reading "El hereje" by Miguel Delibes, a much more accomplished book, of course.