Cathedral of the Sea
Cathedral of the Sea, Ildefonso Falcones's mesmerizing historical novel about medieval Barcelona, was Spain's #1 bestseller for a full year. Rights have sold in thirty-two countries to date, and comparisons to Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth are being made. Who better to bring you this international sensation than Follett's own publisher? Cathedral of the Sea follows the fortunes of the Estanyol family, from their peasant roots to a son, Arnau, who flees the land only to realize spectacular wealth and devastating problems. During Arnau's lifetime Barcelona becomes a city of light and darkness, dominated by the construction of the city's great pride-the cathedral of Santa Maria del mar-and by its shame, the deadly inquisition. As a young man, Arnau joins the powerful guild of stone-workers and helps to build the church with his own hands, while his best friend and adopted brother Joan studies to become a priest. When Arnau, who secretly loves a forbidden Jewish woman named mar, is betrayed and hauled before the inquisitor, he finds himself face-to-face with his own brother. Will he lose his life as his beloved Cathedral of the Sea is finally completed? An unforgettable fresco
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What you might want to know about Cathedral of the Sea
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
In fourteenth-century Barcelona, a fugitive serf's son grows up in the city's port district as common workers begin building the church of Santa Maria del Mar. His life rises, then catches the Inquisition's eye.
Cathedral of the Sea is fictional but built around the real construction of the Santa Maria del Mar basilica in Barcelona between 1329 and 1383. Ildefonso Falcones researched the period extensively, and the historical events and labor practices are documented.
Yes. Netflix and Antena 3 produced an eight-episode Spanish-language adaptation in 2018, available with subtitles internationally. The show follows the novel's medieval Barcelona setting closely.
Cathedral of the Sea was written by Ildefonso Falcones de Sierra, published in 2009 by Transworld Publishers Limited.
Cathedral of the Sea is 752 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Cathedral of the Sea takes most readers 11 to 16 hours to finish.
Cathedral of the Sea is a standalone novel by Ildefonso Falcones de Sierra, not part of a series.
Cathedral of the Sea is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.
