Mondays Book Talk - Cathedral of the Sea

Written by Ben Kesp 

Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones

This is an epic story set in 14th century Barcelona when Catalonia was the powerhouse of the Western Mediterranean, at the height of its maritime and mercantile supremacy with its merchant ships sailing wide and far to Alexandria. 

To discuss this book in a post would not do it justice. It chronicles the reign of King Pedro III, the building of Santa Maria del Mar, the building of the elegant mansions in Barcelona’s Carrer Montcada, the expansion of its money houses and overseas merchant offices. It deals with the divides between rich and poor, plague, mistreatment of women, poverty, death, relationships, religion, the suffering Jews and the heavy hand of the Catholic Church through the inquisition. 

Ildefonso Falcones’s Cathedral of the Sea is a historical thriller published in 2006 and raised the author to the international stage. He has since published La mano de Fátima (The Hand of Fatima) (2009) and La Reina Descalza (The Barefoot Queen) (2013). 

Falcones has set the novel in 14th century medieval Barcelona and from the outset, despite its size this book swept me up, drawing me into the life of Arnau Estanyol. Arnau’s father, Bernat Estanyol fled his family’s lands following the kidnapping of his son and wife by the Lord of the lands finding a new home in Barcelona living as a potter for his sister’s husband. Arnau grows up in the shadow of the rising of a new cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar, a cathedral built by the people for the people which is always the backdrop to the story and holds a very dear and special place in his heart as it housed his new found mother, the virgin of the sea in one of its small chapels. 

One could argue that the life of Arnau Estanyol is incredible, born of a runaway serf he becomes a baron running one of the most successful money houses in the city, while becoming the Consul of the Sea in addition to marrying Eleanor the King’s ward (whom he does not love). It does appear through the book as if his character is directed by circumstances and people with little of his own self thought which results in him being present for all major historical events occurring within the city. Is he a one sided character? Whether you believe this to be the case or not, I believe the epic story that unfolds along with Falcones magnificent imagery will sweep you into 14th century life in Barcelona and the power of Catalonia during this period. 

For me, perhaps I am a little biased as I love the genre and the historical setting. It encapsulates everything one looks for in a historical adventure novel. Falcones’s uses his profession as a lawyer to create complex financial and legal story lines adding intrigue and suspense. Falcones has captured a moment of time in Catalonia’s history when it was at its prime, its King’s rule, its suffering people along with its amazing architecture and city layout. A great read and recommended. Delve into the world of the past and explore the life of 14th century Catalonia country side and its port city of Barcelona.