Summary of The Maravillas District
“The Maravillas District” is set in Madrid’s eponymous neighbourhood in the early 20th century and draws from the author’s own childhood memories. Through the eyes of two young girls, Isabel and Elena, the novel traces the lives of various residents of Maravillas. It follows Isabel and Elena from their adolescence to the moment they leave for art school.
Reasons to read The Maravillas District
“The Maravillas District” is the first part of an autobiographical trilogy and won the Premio de la CrĂtica in 1976. Poetic and introspective, it offers a slow read about two young girls on the verge of womanhood, in pre-World War I Madrid, a time when the future still seemed full of promise. In 1987, Rosa Chacel was awarded the Premio Nacional de las Letras. She is now considered as one of the greatest Spanish novelists of the 20th century but remained largely unknown in her own country for many years – partly due to the disapproval of Franco’s military regime.
Setting: Madrid (Spain)
Book set in Spain: Madrid – Elena and Isabel live in a building situated between Calle de San AndrĂ©s and Calle San Vicente Ferrer, in the Maravillas district (now named Universidad district).
Original title: Barrio de Maravillas
Year of publication: 1976
Nr of pages: 316
