La Reina Descalza (Em Portuguese do Brasil) (Spanish Edition) Paperback – April 9, 2013

Soy profesor de literatura en la iniversidad del estado

El titulo es engañoso. No hay pricesa descalza. Es sobre gitanos. Eso me decepcionó un poco porque esperaba otra cosa. Pero la magistral prosa de Falcones es maravillosa. La volveré a leer. Es muy buena

I'm glad that I read this but I almost didn't because of 1 and 2 star reviews that cited abuse of women that caused the readers to not continue. Such is part of the story, but the author tells of it without going into graphic or gratuitous description.The story is interesting, masterfully told with a well-constructed and intricate plot. Its setting is in southern Spain and Madrid from 1748 to 1754, and it presents a brutal society with little empathy and kindness and a propensity to mistreat and take advantage of others. I can't attest to its historical accuracy, but the author appears to be a serious student of history, so I think that his is likely a fair presentation.It is not a typical feel-good adventure story. Interesting and exciting, yes, but there is much suffering and desperation along the way. Its principal protagonists for whom the reader will be routing are themselves arrogant and proud rascals. However, in total it is an entertaining and satisfying tale, including its appropriate conclusion.For those of us who read for entertainment, it was at 752 pages too long. it would and could have been better had it less detailed description of places and situations.

As usual this Spanish writer is able to use his narrative to engage and challenge his readers. The characters in his stories are prototypes of broader concepts and yet they seem individually driven by their experiences. Can't wait to read Falcones' next novel.

This is third novel of Ildefonso Falcones I have read. In all of them the author describes the suffering of a particular group of people who suffer discrimination and injustice of all kinds. Jews, Muslins and Gypsies have been mistreated in the past and probably are still in some areas of Spain for a number of reasons. This particular novel centers in two groups: an African woman, raised in Cuba, brought to Spain as a slave and "freed" when her "owner" dies. Abandoned in a country where she stands out, with no knowledge of the language or culture, without knowing anyone, the woman suffers terrible acts of exploitation and discrimination. She is befriended and befriends a young Gypsy woman who also has a terrible fate. It is a poignant narrative, more so because events such as the ones described in this novel did take place and still take place today. I recommend this novel for lovers of historic fiction.

Buena novela, aunque me gusto más La Mano de Fátima.Ya no se trata de Moriscos, sino de Gitanos y la persecución (llamada La Gran Redada) que se dio en España por allá de 1749.Se nota que el autor se identifica con "pueblos perseguidos y sometidos" como lo menciona en el epílogo.Trata de rescatar momentos históricos de gente que de una u otra forma a dejado una huella importante.Son relativamente pocos personajes, a lo sumo tiene 4 hilos de historia, se nota un poco forzado como se enlazan esas historias (no con la fluidez de La Catedral del Mar). El final es un poco predecible: "... y vivieron felices el resto de sus días".Es de fácil lectura y los hechos base de la novela son verificables.En esta novela no pude identificarme con ningún personaje, por lo que me sentí un mero espectador y no un participante más.

Prosa apasionante que nos revive la persecución de un pueblo amante de su libertad y las atrocidades que en nombre de la Fe se cometieron por todo el planeta así como nos recuerda los dogmas políticos que sufren los grupos más vulnerables en el mundo actual

Este autor escribe de una manera increiblemente maravillosa y construye personajes inolvidables. No es facil meterse en la historia de los gitanos. Hay que investigar sobre sus costumbres de vida y sin juzgarlos, ponerlos en contexto. Ella es un gitana wue adora cantar y baila como una reina. Entabla una amistad sin barreras con una negra que gana su libertad a medio camino entre Cuba y Espana. Lo que han sufrido estas dos mujeres, no tiene nombre. Pobreza, hambre, vejaciones, humillaciones, discriminacion, carcel, ostracismo, perdidas y desolacion. Se puede sentir por momentos el dolor gracias la las circunstancias del relato de este escritor, al que conoci en La Catedral del Mar, que es para mi uno de los mejores libros que han llegado a mis manos.Recomiendo La Reina Descalza. Es una gran historia, con una mistica muy particular. La gitaneria esta toda ahi.

Me gustó mucho "La catedral del Mar, luego la "La mano de Fátima" no me enganchó de la misma manera y esta historia me está costando un poco pasarla. La he aparcado para ver si encuentro el momento adecuado.

My mother and I loved this book. It has a great cast of strong female characters and I feel that I learnt a lot about the way the gypsy community was historically treated in Spain. It's funny in parts, moving and dramatic in others. Family bonds are really important throughout the story which is nice. Ordered another book by the same author the week I finished this.

I am just loving it! Good sense of humour, well written and enjoying so much the period.

I really enjoyed this book and found the story fascinating. I had never known much about the treatment of the gitanos in Spain. I found the story interesting and entertaining and not doifficult to read in Spanish with the occasional help from the Spanish dictionary..never a problem on the Kindle.............

Falconer obviously knows his history, and castes lots of interesting characters. Comparable to his previous success, "La Catedral de la Mar"