I admit that I have been one of those who found out not so long ago that José Luis Perales had composed songs for singers from half of Spain. Very great themes associated with the image, the performer, but which are really born from the inspiration of this unparalleled composer in our country.
The jump to the prose of Jose Luis Perales it is an adventure that is bearing fruit. In this The Potter's Daughter book, second novel already after The melody of time we enter a vital melody, in the discordant symphony of characters that move between their will, destiny, their principles, their desires, guilt and regrets.
Brígida and Justino have two children: Carlos and Francisca. His life passes with the lightness of time in a small town in La Mancha. In this family nucleus jumps the classic paradox about what is paradise for some and what others can consider hell. In the end we are a difficult balance between what we have and what we do not have, and sometimes what we lack ends up weighing more than the surrounding reality.
Francisca ends up rebelling with that life that slowly drips the seconds but seems to be devouring the years. In the end he escapes from his home to carve out that future yearned for by every young and restless soul.
There is some poetic justice in parents who see their children stamped against reality, when they have been previously warned. But there is also a part of sadness to see the unhappiness of those who are prevented from flying free.
Family, children, destiny and that fine red thread (reference to Sonoko's Garden book) that gets tangled and tangled until you can undo the mess yourself and move on.
For parents there always comes a time when the discovery of the destiny of their children as something completely alien can be traumatic. The red thread of a son is moving away, undoing the woven and looking for something new to weave. Life then becomes strained, heartbreaking at times. Letting a child take, letting new paths take, is part of life but not of the parents' reason.
You can now buy the novel The Potter's Daughter, the new book by José Luis Perales, here:
Very, very predictable and easy. JL Perales as a music composer, great. All the best.
Probably. But it has its merit that Perales can touch various creative fields with dignity.