When at the time I read the book The Eve of Almost Everything, by Víctor del Árbol, I considered the undoubted literary contribution that a profession such as the policeman gives. Working in the street, in direct search of the scenarios where the crudest aspects of our society take place, confers a knowledge of the human soul in its most ferocious state.
In this book The river was silent, we meet again with a first-hand documented police officer for any plot that comes his way. Zaragoza, my city, becomes that space where to project so many real experiences transformed into the imagination to present a crime novel with an impeccable plot and spectacular resolution.
With an evocative and precise language, with an overwhelming command of language to convey the intended sensations and ideas, Luis Esteban delves into the resolution of two intertwined cases.
Both branches of the plot share in synthesis the idea of prostitution (male and female), its dangerous world and its usual ignominious scenarios. And around them, sensitive aspects such as homophobia are dealt with, like any phobia taken to the extreme of the most violent of hatreds.
Because The river was silent It is a noir, detective novel, a fast-paced story where all the characters wander on a tightrope, from the police inspector Roy to the victims who appear, including characters that should belong to the most grandiose settings of society.
John Wayne as an indirect character. His photo on the corpse of a hustler. The idea of a homophobic murderer as a starting point to go into a sordid story, with that knowledge of what goes on in the underworld by a doctorate author in sordid matters, thanks to his police performance in real life.
But what we think is circumscribed to the lowest part of our society, to the nights and to the slums of the city, ends up splashing even to another part of the city, where suits and elegant women move.
Zaragoza and its fiestas del Pilar as a bustling background that gives rise to all kinds of excesses, even those that can provoke violence and homicidal instincts.
You can now buy The river kept silent, the latest novel by Luis Esteban, here:
I was expecting the classic crime novel and I have come across something more original. Funny, with ironic overtones and with unexpected plot changes. I liked it a lot, although it sometimes abuses old-fashioned terminology. But it becomes easy to read. Its enjoyable.
Certain. It points to a whole author to take into account.
I am an avid reader and follower of Pasapalabra, I bought the book out of curiosity and I do not know if my comment will reach you, but I think you have to give it time, you can have many stories for your experiences and the moment you stop trying to show your wisdom, your books will win a lot. Well, there is one thing that I cannot let go of "neglect", it is neglect, otherwise let's give it time.
It may be that there is a certain excess of rhetoric, but perhaps because it is located in my city, the plot captivated me.
It will certainly improve towards a closer language. The job is what he has, he is winning.
Literary records are a choice of each author. Now the plain and simple language prevails, but it is a fashion that we will see how long it lasts. I don't think there is an excess of rhetoric, rather a careful and precious use of language. And there are readers who appreciate a narrative register different from the usual one.
An insufferable novel. Bored and pedantic. Not to say homophobic and racist.
I don't know where you get homophobia and racism from. Either he has not read the book or his reading comprehension can clearly be improved.
A sensational crime novel. In addition to the plot, it touches on current issues (homophobia, immigration, politics) with original points of view. The outcome is wonderful and the characters are very successful. Hopefully there is a second installment and Inspector Roy becomes a saga. It's the best I've read lately in a novel of intrigue.