Now she chooses to revisit it, telling her life story to her son in brief episodes. It is a story filled with sadness, set largely in Franco Spain, her family inevitably affected by the ridiculous dictator's rule. Ana looks for some happy memories, but even the first, from childhood, is of her grandfather scaring her. He means well, but her fear is real. Tellingly, she also turns to him who scared her for comfort.
Life is difficult, especially once the war begins.
Clara's story has all the tragedies, fears, and small moments of joy that one might expect. Her married happiness is ultimately destroyed by politics that tear a family apart. Chirbes puts these brief episodes and scenes together quite well. Many are evocative, and quite well related. Still, it is very a dark novella.