Family Secrets, Friendship, and Mafia in Tarragona
Family Relationships and Secrets
Parent/Child: Olga and Txell have a close relationship, especially when Olga suggests that Txell should embrace change. Arnau’s relationship with his father is strained, especially after his parents’ divorce, leading to unspoken tensions.
Unexpected Friendships
Friendship: Txell and Arnau become close friends, sharing intimate details and supporting each other through difficult times. Arnau confides in Txell about his personal life.
The Struggle with Loneliness
Loneliness: Txell, being shy, often feels isolated, particularly after moving to a new school.
Eating Disorders: A Hidden Battle
Diseases: The story touches upon bulimia and anorexia. Olga struggles with stress-induced eating, followed by purging. She is also very conscious of her weight and calorie intake.
The Shadow of the Mafia
Mafia Gangs – Duce: Duce is a ruthless and cold drug dealer who makes life impossible for the protagonists. He orders killings as a routine matter, showing no compassion.
A Summary of Shifting Lives
Abstract: Olga and her daughter Txell relocate to Tarragona after receiving a letter suggesting that Olga’s husband, who was presumed dead, is alive in Buenos Aires, involved with the racketeers he was investigating. Olga receives clues and blank postcards from Buenos Aires. Txell feels lonely at her new school but befriends Arnau, who confides in her that he is gay. An attorney from Buenos Aires informs Olga that her husband has indeed died and left behind a child.
Oscar’s Mistakes
Oscar’s Mistakes:
- Being too ambitious.
- Believing he could undo his actions.
- Not foreseeing the extent of his involvement.
Character Analysis
Olga: She is portrayed as selfish, prioritizing her career, but deeply loves her daughter. She is a widow and values her daughter above all else.
Txell: She is reserved and shy but opens up to her friends. She is somewhat rebellious, sporting a pierced eyebrow and lip, and favors worn clothing. Her relationship with her mother is tense.
Four Pivotal Changes
Four Things That Will Change Txell’s Life:
- Moving to a new house and leaving her friends and Dambier.
- Working with Arnau, a classmate.
- Discovering a letter from her father revealing he was alive eight years ago.
- Learning that her father had another daughter in Buenos Aires.
A Psychologist Session and a Fateful Day
Session Number 3: Olga discusses with her new psychologist how her husband’s disappearance triggered her anorexia and later bulimia. The session is difficult as she avoids discussing the dream that reminded her of waiting for his return. At 7:30 AM, the police arrived at her home, informing her that they had found his empty boat. After three days, the search was called off, and he was presumed dead.
Arnau and Txell visit a small bar known for its *brilliant* sandwiches (possibly referring to Cal Boada, famous in Spain). They also visit the Faculty of Letters, browsing many books and novels. They enter through a side gate to avoid a group protesting against the dictatorship but eventually join a demonstration. Later, at the library, Arnau asks Txell to come home with him. His mother surprisingly agrees. The real surprise comes when they find Mike and Joan with Olga, but Olga seems to view Joan differently. Mike and Joan become friends while Arnau and Txell talk in his room. Arnau reveals to Txell that he had been in love with a teacher, a fact his mother had criticized.
A few days later, two policemen visit, raising suspicions with questions about packages, photos, and large sums of money.