Reviews

Barcelona Dreaming by Rupert Thomson

Only show reviews with written explanations

alleyboop's review against another edition

4.0

I won't say this is the most riveting or best book I've read this year, but I have to give it to the author for the prose. It follows three interlocking stories and each leaves you with a sense of finality, but also a sense of change for each character. It could be because it takes place in Barcelona, but it reminded me of Carmen Laforet's Nada - like a homage to that book but in the future of Barcelona. There is this lovely ache about Barcelona and he captures this with his diverse cast of characters who range from English, Moroccan, Brazilian, to Catalan. Barcelona often feels like it's own place separate of Spain and I really felt that in this novel. And of course, the wanderlust has returned full swing and how I'd love to eat in a restaurant on the Barceloneta or walk down Passeig de Gracia again.

emilymae's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

margaret21's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I picked this book from the library shelves for no better reason than that Barcelona is a city I know well. And indeed, this is a book with a strong sense of place. Not Tourist Barcelona, with its must-see monuments, its busy cafes and its omni-present pick-pockets: but the varied city which all kinds of people from dyed in the wool Catalans to ex-pats and immigrants call home. Here are three interlinked novellas, featuring an Englishwoman who falls for a young Moroccan hardly older than her daughter; an alcoholic jazz pianist whose relationship with his younger partner collapses; and a translator, tormented by his unrequited love. They never meet, but are linked loosely through neighbours, colleagues and unconnected events. The book explores themes such as immigration, racism, nostalgia, lack of self-knowledge: old relationships linger on. Thomson conjures up people whose complicated lives are utterly plausible, and a city that lives and breathes without reference to the tourist haunts so many travellers see: its dust and dirt and exhaust fumes, as well as the clarity of the early morning light. An immersive book.

niniane's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Three short stories that each involve a character stepping outside their normal social circles.

One is a woman living in a wealthy neighborhood who has a fling with a much younger immigrant.

One is an old drunk guy and his younger, beautiful girlfriend. This uses unreliable narrator and portrays how someone can maintain deep denial even while repeatedly getting blackout drunk.

One is a doormat guy who has a surreal experience with a charming narcissist and stops being a pushover.

The different neighborhoods of Barcelona are mentioned.

hannahbright's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

The back summary led me to believe that the crime against Abdel would be a recurring theme throughout all of the stories, but it was only mentioned indirectly in one other. I found this to be unpredictable and entertaining. I liked the first and second stories better than the last. The unreliable narration and magical realism were all interesting and out of the norm of what I usually read. I enjoyed the visuals of Barcelona, but overall not a top 10 book for me

citybookspgh's review

Go to review page

medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Three novellas. First one is EXCELLENT. Last two are adolescent fantasies. Diverse characters are fetishized, so to me, it doesn’t count as diverse lit. Awful book. Hate finished it.

Content Warnings