My second read for Spanish and Portuguese Lit Month is a very different beast from my first; that was early in the month, with the intriguing but baffling “Two Stories” from Sublunary Editions. Today’s book also comes from an indie publisher – Fum D’Estampa – and is a wonderful account of life in Barcelona during the middle of the 20th century. “Forty Lost Years” by Rosa Maria Arquimbau is translated from the Catalan by Peter Bush, and has won an English PEN Award; and in many ways it seems like a bit of a miracle that it’s made it into English at all.
Arquimbau is a somewhat obscure figure; a Catalan writer, journalist, feminist, and suffragist, she was regarded as a major novelist in the 1930s. A prolific journalist, she often wrote on what were controversial subjects for a woman in the Spain of the time; and she was also a prominent figure in left-wing politics. During the fascist dictatorship, which lasted a large part of her life, she was persecuted and outlawed, and it’s only recently that her work has been rediscovered in her home country; according to Fum D’Estampa, this is largely due to the efforts of journalist and writer, Julia Guillamon, and the latter provides a moving coda to the novel.
“Forty Lost Years”, first published in 1971, is narrated by Laura Vidal; we first encounter her in the 1930s when she’s in her early teens and starting to make her way in the world. She comes from a poor family; they live in a ‘concierge cubbyhole’ and her father makes furniture at a workshop; and Laura is quite naive, relying on her elder sister Esperanca, plus friends Herminia and Engracia, to guide her in the ways of the world. But the world she lives in is changing, and as Laura starts working as a seamstress, gradually working her way up in her trade, the Catalan Republic is created and then lost, the Spanish Civil War takes place, World War Two comes and goes, Franco’s dictatorship continues. The eyes of Laura see and reflect the changes; from the idealism of those wishing to make the world a better place to those only concerned with making money and having power; and Laura’s ideals are crushed as she struggles to keep pace with the changes and make sure she earns enough to support herself and her family. As she reaches middle age and onwards, she reflects back on her forty lost years, wondering if her struggles to stay free have been worth it – and what lies next for her is not clear.
…I realized that morality is elastic and that you can stretch it this way or that according to individual need and that the poor who can allow themselves to lead strict moral existences are the exception.
This is why I love translators and translated literature and indie publishers. If it wasn’t for them, I never would have had the chance to read this marvellous book, and it really has lodged in my heart. Arquimbau writes in deceptively economic prose, taking us through the years quickly, witnessing the changes around Laura and exploring the latter’s emotions. Vidal is a compelling character – strong, independent, determined to succeed on her own terms, she has no compunction about using men as necessary to get what she needs. But this is never portrayed as gratuitous as she has her own moral standards; and her refusal to marry for convenience and status sets her against most of her contemporaries. Yet as she finds out, she is capable of love – although perhaps not with the best timing.
Times had changed. A kind of hard-faced attitude dominated the world in which we lived, a blend of hypocrisy and fear.
As a backdrop to Laura’s tale there is the constantly changing political landscape. Cleverly, Arquimbau doesn’t allow this to dominate the story; instead, the events happening in Spain and the wider world affect Laura’s life, but she’s allowed to adapt to them and make her way onward as best she can. There’s a section of the narrative where Laura goes into exile, in the early part of WW2, and she ends up trying to escape Europe like so many did; being caught between the Germans moving through France and the fascist regime of her own country must have been hellish. As she moves around Oran, I was reminded very much of Victor Serge’s descriptions of his own flight from Europe to Mexico; and if Laura’s attempt to flee is based on Arquimbau’s own life then she might well have encountered him had she succeeded in getting away.
Disillusion had made me what I was, a woman who had seen the world and felt hollow inside and expected nothing from life. None of what makes living feel like what you would call ‘life’. Where had my youthful zest gone? Or my hopes of a better world? And my wish to fight? And my desire for justice? What had become of my ideals?
“Forty Lost Years” quite brilliantly captures the passing time, no mean feat in only 137 pages. As well as being a record of her times, the book is also the story of a woman’s life and the changes she undergoes, finding herself suddenly regarded as an old bag when she doesn’t feel like one. The feminist in Arquimbau/Vidal shines through as she refuses to take the easy path; although what the rest of Laura’s life will bring her, we’ll never know.
So my second read for Spanish and Portuguese Lit month turned out to be absolutely brilliant, and I really don’t know why this wonderful author hasn’t been translated before. The book comes with a poignant epilogue by Julia Guillamon, exploring Arquimbau’s life, and this includes some evocative photographs which really enhance the narrative of the book itself as well as giving some insight into what Arquimbau had to deal with. Engrossing, inspiring and unforgettable, “Forty Lost Years” is a powerful and often emotional read which takes you through the highs and lows of a woman living through dramatic times. The perfect read for Spanish and Porguguese Lit Month, and a book I highly recommend – kudos to Fum D’Estampa, Peter Bush, Julia Guillamon and all concerned!
(Review copy kindly provided by the publisher, for which many thanks!)
louloureads
Jul 21, 2021 @ 07:34:57
This sounds fascinating and very compelling – definitely one for me to add to my TBR!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 21, 2021 @ 18:48:59
It is – I think it’s a wonderful and very atmospheric book, and I’m so glad it finally made it into English!
MarinaSofia
Jul 21, 2021 @ 08:06:38
I skimmed through the later paragraphs, as I am planning to read this for #WIT Month, but it’s a good thing this author was rediscovered and translated.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 21, 2021 @ 18:49:45
Totally agree, and it’s a great choice for WIT month – if I’d known Stu was going to extend Spanish lit month I might have held my review back! 😀
Liz
Jul 21, 2021 @ 08:35:21
You have written a very compelling case for this one. I’d already seen positive chatter about it elsewhere and your review tips me over the ordering edge!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 21, 2021 @ 18:50:31
It’s getting a good response, and deservedly so – hope you enjoy it!
A Life in Books
Jul 21, 2021 @ 09:57:40
I’d echo your remark about translators who do readers such a service, broadening our horizons. This sounds a particularly good example of that.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 21, 2021 @ 18:52:32
It is – reading this book really gets you under the skin of the character, living her experience alongside her, and it’s an experience I wouldn’t have had without translators. They’re essential as far as I’m concerned.
endean0
Jul 21, 2021 @ 10:20:57
Hi!
I nominated you for the Dazzling Blogger Award. Hope you will find the time to participate.
You can check the rules here: https://alondonmiscellany.wordpress.com/2021/07/21/the-dazzling-blogger-award/
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 21, 2021 @ 18:51:34
Thank you – that’s very kind of you! I’m a little strapped for time right now but will see how it goes!
Margot Kinberg
Jul 21, 2021 @ 12:13:19
I haven’t read at all deeply into Catalan literature or genre fiction, KBR, but what I have read has a distinctive flow and style to it, and it sounds as though this one has that, too. And I couldn’t agree more about the value of a skilled translator when it comes to sharing that style. I really do like authors who explore larger movements and events by sharing the perspectives of the people who live through them. It sounds as though that’s how the history is handled here, and it’s very appealing!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 21, 2021 @ 18:54:35
I’ve only read a little Catalan writing, but what I have I’ve loved – and Fum D’Estampa are certainly flying the flag for it right now. The author did balance her narrator’s life and the wider events well, and I think that’s so important.
JacquiWine
Jul 21, 2021 @ 17:29:46
I really like the sound of this, Karen. The setting and certain aspects of the content remind me a little of Carmen Laforet’s novel, Nada, which is a dark, coming-of-age story with a striking first-person narration. It sounds as if Forty Lost Years takes the protagonist’s narrative arc much further than in Nada, stretching out to middle age and beyond – adding another dimension with the reflection back over time. Oh dear, I think I’m going to have to put this on the list, aren’t I? Despite my good intentions… 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 21, 2021 @ 18:57:56
I think you should, Jacqui… One of the things which impressed me most was the way she conveyed the passing of time – you live your life, events happen, you cope as best you can and then suddenly you’re old and the world has changed around you. It’s certainly a book which has stayed with me – hope you enjoy it!
madamebibilophile
Jul 21, 2021 @ 19:11:15
I’ve never heard of Arquimbau but she sounds fascinating! I was so surprised when you said this was only 137 pages – what an achievement to fit so much in and it still be such a satisfying read.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 21, 2021 @ 20:04:57
I hadn’t either until Fum D’Estampa issued this, and I’m very impressed. It’s quite amazing how much she covered in such a slim book and it really does stay with you. Highly recommended from here!
heavenali
Jul 21, 2021 @ 21:55:41
This sounds excellent, the author clearly managing to pack a lot into a relatively short novel. I enjoy novels that portray a span of years showing what life was like during a period outside my own experience. What a wonderful job these translators do, bringing these fascinating voices to us.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 22, 2021 @ 09:52:38
She does indeed get so much into the book – it’s a really powerful work, and the captures the changing age of her narrator brilliantly in the writing. Thank goodness for translators!!
Julé Cunningham
Jul 22, 2021 @ 01:08:17
I do so admire the writers whose books are deceptively simple on the surface, yet blossom into such richness. It’s like a poetry version of a novel. I’ve been lucky enough to read several like that fairly recently and this sounds as though it’s definitely another to explore.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 22, 2021 @ 09:51:43
That’s a very good way to describe it. Thinking back, it’s so impressive how much she gets into the book. A really great read!
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Jul 22, 2021 @ 16:06:59
I’ve read even less Catalan literature than I have Spanish, so I was very interested in your review. This definitely sounds like an addition to the TBR list!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 22, 2021 @ 16:40:07
I think this would be a great place to start – she writes wonderfully and really captures place and time!
Liz Dexter
Jul 23, 2021 @ 08:55:12
This sounds amazing and I’m really glad it’s made it into publication in English!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 23, 2021 @ 12:39:43
It is, and it would be the perfect read for WIT – I really should have saved it….
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Jul 28, 2021 @ 07:01:11
buriedinprint
Jul 28, 2021 @ 23:38:49
Isn’t this just the kind of thing that reminds us how much there is to read in translation by women who made a point of pushing the proverbial envelope all along. Lovely find. Also, “concierge cubbyhole”, not a term I’ve ever heard, but immediately and powerfully evocative.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 29, 2021 @ 15:09:18
Definitely is, and reinforces how important WIT month – I have a lot of possible titles lined up. I loved the term “concierge cubbyhole” too – a brilliant way of getting across the family’s poverty and lack of space.
Lisa Hill
Jul 29, 2021 @ 00:49:27
Yes, one for my wishlist. Have you read Merce Rodoredo? She’s brilliant to, though what I’ve read of hers doesn’t range over such a long period of time.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 29, 2021 @ 15:04:18
I haven’t, though I’ve heard good things – so many books and authors I’d like to explore!!
Lisa Hill
Jul 31, 2021 @ 09:58:28
It’s such a great problem to have!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Jul 31, 2021 @ 11:29:59
I know – I am blessed with books really!
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