Alira, heiress of the mansion and the lands that her family has preserved for generations, is torn between staying true to her origins or adapting to the new times. When he thinks he finds the answer to his doubts, a mysterious disappearance disturbs the apparent calm that reigned in the house, the only one inhabited in a small abandoned town. A wink of fate will force her to face her past and to question how much she had been immutable. From that moment on, she will begin to feel something she never thought she was prepared for: love.
This is the synopsis of The beat of the earth, the new novel of Gabás light, which will arrive in bookstores in September. In it, Gabás masterfully builds a story of passion, loyalty, intrigue and mixed feelings. From PlanetadeLibros we have had the opportunity to interview her and learn a little better about this expected new title.
After the success of his previous novels, what will we find in The beat of the earth? Do you follow the line of the previous ones or have you wanted to change your registry completely?
The beat of the earth It is a story of friendship, love and the passage of time. It is different from my other novels: in it there are nods to the detective novel and temporary disruptions, to create some restlessness in the reader.
It is a story about my generation and the transformations that the people who are part of it have had to experience. The only thing that coincides with my previous novels is that I have taken romanticism to the extreme.
Tell us about the protagonist, Alira.
Alira is a mature woman, heiress of a world that disappears. What I like most about her is that she is open to changes. You have to face a huge one after feeling divided between two worlds, but you will know how to choose the right path.
Alira manages to understand that true aging, both individually and in society, has nothing to do with the passage of time, but with the loss of illusion. And I love that he is able to get excited again, even though the world collapses around him.
«In this novel there are winks
to the detective novel and temporary disruptions,
to create some restlessness in the reader. »
Alira must face a series of decisions in the novel. Did you think about the plot before and then the character, or did you first define your personality and then endow it with a plot?
I thought it all at once. This plot needed a character like Alira. It did not arise: it was polished as the plot evolved. The first Alira of the first version of the book was a little more pessimistic, and the definitive one was the one that had to be the real one, much more positive, because after all I wanted this to be a positive novel. But, of course, character and plot cannot be separated. I thought it all at once, he was a character who was very clear from the start.
This novel talks about the importance of true love. What prominence does romantic love have in this story? Do you consider a romantic plot essential for a novel to be complete?
It is a love story. Not only of love for another person that complements your life and accompanies you in your walk, but of love for life in its broadest meaning. Love for your territory, for your past, for your being, for your environment … It is a novel that goes beyond the love of a couple.
As for whether it is essential that there is a romantic plot for a novel to be complete, it is true that I love reading and creating novels with such a plot, more than anything because it gives a lot of play: love and hate are great passions . As a reader, I am grateful that there is one, although it is neither necessary nor indispensable.
But, I insist: for me this novel is the most romantic of the four I've written. In it there is a point of rebellion, a criticism, in a way, to the system. There is a defense of the return to nature and there is love, yes; but with many more ingredients that make it a romantic novel.
We have been told that each chapter of the book is titled as a song and, if they are put together, they are related to each other. Tell us a little about this.
I wanted this to be a story about people of my generation: we grew up with music at all hours and now this is very normal; but years ago, in the 80s, no. There came a time when you always began to listen to music, especially very songs. I thought it would be a very nice wink to structure the novel into chapters whose titles were songs.
These songs have to do with the plot of each chapter and, together, they form a complete history of fusion between present and past. Is a playlist cane and with a lot rockeven heavy, which is a music that I like. I realized that in this way a chronological history of music was offered that extended the meaning of the novel, giving it another added reading.
Do you think that, today, the writer's profession is still undervalued or, on the contrary, is a figure that has more strength and recognition than ever?
This question worries me, because I do not consider or do not know if the figure of the writer has been underestimated. In my case, since childhood, I have always idealized it. I would rather say that the writer's perception is of someone with a special sensitivity. I believe that the profession is not undervalued and that the figure of the writer has always raised admiration and passions on the part of the people.
What are your three essentials in your writing routine?
My three essentials are:
1. Follow more or less the same schedule, always.
2. Use specific pens, of a specific color and brand. It is my great hobby.
3. Always have the table in a certain way.
Any specific background music?
No, I never work with music because I get confused. Except in this novel, which I had to listen to. But the listening has been in order to prepare the architecture of the novel, not during the writing. I do the latter very punctually if what I write has to do with a particular melody.
There is a defense of return
to nature and there is love;
but with many more ingredients than
They make it a romantic novel.
It has been through many firms, how is that meeting for the reader?
The truth is that it has been a discovery. I had the image that the writer is alone at home writing and then, by magic, comes to the shelves. I didn't know anything about the publishing world. I think the relationship with the reader is very important because it recharges your batteries.
There comes a time when you are so alone, after so many hours writing and turning your head, that you lose perspective or the meaning of what you are doing. And you think: and this, for what? Will someone interest you? Then, when you know that there are people who follow you and expect a new novel because you have moved them with your previous stories … Readers are the fuel to get ahead.
Would you like to explore new genres?
In this last novel I have explored a literary genre. It has cost me a lot and it has been very difficult for me, but I think I have found my voice, which will always be around historical and current issues that make me reflect and learn. Gender is given to me by each story. Depending on the plot it will be one genre or another, although I am open to everything.
We have read that he likes to reread classics (for example, Wuthering Heights) to see how your interpretation of the text evolves. Do you do the same with your books already published?
So far, what I have done with my previous novels is that when the final book arrives ready for sale, I feel, read it and enjoy it. And that's it I don't touch it again, unless I need it for a talk or to look for a specific appointment. I think it takes more perspective: when more years pass, I will read them to see if I still like them and to see if I would change something.
With other books that I have read, like the classics, I have done it after twenty years. I read to see if they keep touching the fiber. If they do, they become one of my life books. But with my own it is still a bit early.