Cathedral of the Sea - Tapa dura

"A powerful historical saga set in 14th century Barcelona that spans slavery, serfdom and anti-Semitism, friendship and thwarted love" (Choice (Book of the Month))

"Falcones's intricately plotted novel rests on meticulous research...the ambitious yarn binds you into its thrall - a bold work of imagination, which pays homage to lives gone by as well as to the great church itself" (Daily Express)

"Turns on legal and financial manoeuvres rarely found in a historical novel. Passionate in explaining 14th century Barcelona, [Falcones] draws convincing pictures of its architecture and culture, right down to the basics such as the sewage stream...an exciting, very readable adventure novel, enriched by realistic descriptions of medieval life, work, finance and politics" (Independent)

"Sculpted and fluid...the international bestseller appears now in an impressively graceful translation which captures beautifully the archaic and lyrical tone of the narrative...Its beauty lies in its vivd exposition of the complexities of a bygone society" (Independent on Sunday)

A masterful epic of love, war, treason, plague, famine, witchcraft, anti-Semitism and the Inquisition

14th-century Spain, the medieval city of Barcelona is enjoying a golden age of prosperity. Its humblest inhabitants are building, stone by stone, a magnificent church to overlook their harbour. This is the Cathedral of the Sea: a church to be built for the people by the people.

In its shadow, Arnau, a young serf on the run from his feudal lord, struggles to earn his freedom. After famine, plague and thwarted love, Arnau's fortunes begin to turn when King Pedro makes him a baron as a reward for his courage in battle. But he is also forced to marry Eleonor, a ward of the King whom he does not love. His newfound status excites jealousy from his friends who plot his downfall with devastating consequences. Arnau's journey from slave to nobleman is the story of a struggle between good and evil that will turn Church against State and brother against brother ...