This is our list of 3 great books set in Barcelona. We have chosen 3 novels written this 21st century to enjoy a Sant Jordi from home. At the end of the post, you’ll find a solidarity idea to gift a solidarity rose, don’t miss it!
1. The Shadow of the Wind (2001), by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
A novel set in Barcelona during the early part of the 20th century, which combines intrigue with historical fiction. If you liked it, don’t miss its sequels, which despite sharing some characters and settings, can be read independently: The Angel’s Game (2008), The Prisoner of Heaven (2011) and The Labyrinth of the Spirits (2016).
2. Cathedral of the Sea (2006), by Ildefonso Falcones
This novel, which became the best-selling book of Sant Jordi 2006, tells the story of life in Barcelona in the 14th century around the construction of the church of Santa Maria del Mar. In 2016 was published the sequel Los herederos de la tierra (unfortunately this book has no English translation) and in 2018 a successful TV series based on the book.
3. Origin (2017), by Dan Brown
The fifth installment on the adventures of Robert Langdon, professor of symbolism and religious iconography, takes place entirely in Spain. Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Seville are the main settings in which Dan Brown’s novel takes place.
We are confident that with this list you will be able to spend a Sant Jordi without getting up from the sofa and at the same time it will make you visit Barcelona without leaving home.
If it has made you feel like traveling, we remind you that from the Hotel Arc La Rambla we will be waiting for you when the situation has been normalized.
We would like to end this post with the wonderful solidarity initiative of Turisme de Barcelona that offers you the possibility to gift a virtual rose to as many friends and family as you like, and to collaborate in favour of the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona in the fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19). Find more information by clicking here.
