Eduardo Mendoza’s The Truth About the Savolta Case: A Deep Dive
Eduardo Mendoza’s *The Truth About the Savolta Case*: A Deep Dive
Subject Matter and Narrative Style
Eduardo Mendoza’s *The Truth About the Savolta Case*, published in 1975, masterfully blends a compelling narrative with intricate character development. While the treatment of the subject matter is paramount, the plot itself takes a backseat. The novel’s strength lies in its unfolding action and the author’s deliberate resurrection of the narrative function, a technique often sidelined by those advocating for the deconstruction of plot in novels.
The story unfolds through the collected memories of Javier Miranda, who serves as both a spectator and a participant in the events that transpire in Barcelona. The narrative immerses the reader in a world of social tensions, particularly within a major industrial company presided over by the enigmatic Lepprince. The novel interweaves individual incidents and collective events, incorporating elements of historical fiction that reflect on the attitudes of individuals in both social and political spheres, as well as on a broader existential plane.
Mendoza employs a rich tapestry of techniques, including pastiche, drawing from both traditional and “marginal” genres, particularly detective fiction and serialized novels. This innovative use of techniques results in a remarkable variety of writing styles and structural approaches.
Historical and Social Context
The novel paints a vivid and detailed panorama of Barcelona during a specific historical period. It captures the decline of the middle class alongside the business boom during the European war, marked by economic and social crises. Mendoza offers a penetrating portrait of the upper bourgeoisie, the struggles of the working class, and the alienation experienced by those caught in the throes of revolution, all set against the backdrop of the city’s underworld.
Key Characters
Three central characters drive the narrative, their lives intricately intertwined:
Javier Miranda: A man of noble character and a strong sense of justice, Javier is often swayed by circumstances and drawn to revolutionary ideals. His journey ultimately leads him to disillusionment.
Lepprince: An ambitious and cold individual, Lepprince is not above resorting to crime to achieve his goals.
Maria Coral: A product of Gypsy poverty, Maria understands the power of her beauty and uses it to her advantage, yet she remains, at her core, a vulnerable young woman.
Other notable characters include Pajarito de Soto and Maria Rosa Savolta, among others.
Narrative Structure
The novel is divided into two parts, containing five and ten chapters, respectively. Each chapter is further composed of multiple sequences. The narrative is presented as a series of the protagonist’s memories, triggered by a court hearing, which is not revealed until the penultimate page. This structure contributes to the novel’s classification as a mystery.
The novel can be broadly divided into three structural blocks:
Chapters I-IV: These chapters contain fragments of a judicial examination interspersed with the protagonist’s fragmented memories (flashbacks).
Chapters V-X: These chapters exhibit a chronological disorder, jumping between different time periods.
The Last Five Chapters: These chapters follow a more traditional narrative structure, providing a sense of resolution.
Other Technical Aspects
The author’s position, point of view, and narrative techniques are crucial to the novel’s impact. While parts of the story are written in the first person, other passages employ the third person. The fragmentation of the narrative and the extended sequences of events are also noteworthy features.
Pastiche
Mendoza makes numerous references to established literary techniques, incorporating elements of the detective novel (murders), the Gothic novel, and the serialized novel (scenes of the underworld).
Variety of Styles
The novel showcases a diverse range of styles, reflecting the varied materials it comprises, such as parodies, political speeches, and pamphlets of the time. The author’s reflections on certain pages are reminiscent of decadent literature. The novel also features a variety of registers, humor, and lyrical passages.
Significance of *The Truth About the Savolta Case*
On an existential level, the novel explores the protagonist’s unease. Socially, it reflects the various social movements of the era. Artistically, it showcases the author’s imaginative prowess and the richness of his literary nuances.