The capital of the Turia is not only the protagonist of the tourist guides. Our city is also a character and setting for great literary stories. And in case you didn’t know, we bring you in this list a compilation of the best books set in Valencia. You can’t miss a single one.
cod! Oral History of Dance Music in Valencia, 1980-1995, by Luis Costa
Luis Costa reviews in this book how the union of the music and business scene that occurred in Valencia after Franco’s death led to the creation of the most innovative nightclubs in Europe. The culture behind the so-called “Ruta del Bacalao” is described here with details of its main protagonists.
No emprenyeu el comissari!, by Ferran Torrent
Set in Valencia during the transition to democracy, this amusing story tells of the clumsy robbery of a villa that turns out to belong to Commissioner Garcia, someone whose ideals are still anchored in the Franco regime. The case falls into the hands of a detective with a peculiar way of working, as he never reveals who committed the thefts despite recovering the objects.
Tramway to the Malvarrosa, by Manuel Vicent
This famous book, which has also been made into a film, tells the post-war story of a young man starting university in Valencia. It narrates the transition from adolescence to adulthood through loves and different events that make the protagonist grow up in an indirect way.
Proa a Isla Tortuga, by Josep Vicent Miralles
This novel deals with something that unfortunately never seems to go out of style. It focuses on the corruption that plagues our country every day, although in this particular case that which concerns Valencia. The journalist protagonist of this work receives an offer to participate in the most important political conspiracy in the history of democracy. Don’t tell me you don’t feel like reading it.
Tirant lo Blanc, by Juanot Martorell and Martí Joan de Galba
It is said to be one of the best novels of chivalry and as such, Cervantes decides to save it from the burning of books that takes place in Don Quixote. Although its story does not take place in the city of Valencia, because of the time of publication, in the middle of the Valencian Golden Age, it is our book par excellence. The work is signed by Juanot Martorell, but it is said to have been finished by Martí Juan de Galba. In addition, with it you will be able to enjoy the old Valencian language.
Inquisitio, by Alfred Bosch
An interesting novel set in early 19th century Valencia which deals with the last act of the Spanish Inquisition in this city. The accused heretic was Cayetano Ripoll, a poor and very believing professor. In the novel, one can appreciate the religious sects, the power of the Church, of money and of a society that only seeks to appear.
Arroz y Tartana, by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez
It narrates the life of Valencia at the beginning of the 20th century, when pretending was the order of the day. This realistic play stars a wealthy, widowed woman whose only concern is to marry well her two daughters. However, she disowns her son for not having the same airs and graces as she does. A realistic Reflection of that era. Very interesting. But if you’re in a hurry, you can go for the series, which is faster and also very good.
Among Orange Trees, by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez
This is another of the works of Blasco Ibáñez’s best literary period, according to experts. Set in the town of Alcira, it tells the story of the romance between a deputy of this town and an opera singer who returns to it because it is her hometown. The details about the attraction between these characters have caused the book to be classified by some critics as erotic naturalism. On the other hand, Ibáñez also describes characteristics of Republican Spain.
Cañas y Barro, by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez
This book was included in the list of the 100 best Spanish-language novels of the 20th century by the newspaper El Mundo. With the Albufera as a backdrop, he portrays the society of rural Valencia at the beginning of the last century with precision and costumbrist nuances. The grandson of a family from El Palmar is the protagonist of a plot in which the war in Cuba and adultery interfere.
Les llunes de Russafa, by Adolf Beltrán
Using the neighborhood of Ruzafa as the book’s main street, the author wants to bring us closer to the lives of different inhabitants of this Valencian area and that of its namesake, another area called the same in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. An interesting vision of immigration and life in other countries that, although it may not seem so, have so much to do with us.
Cover photo: Shutterstock.