Mientras Vivimos (Spanish Edition) [Paperback]

Maruja Torres (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

Mientras vivimos es una gran historia de admiracion y celos, de mentira y de verdad, de odio y de amor, de perdidas y encuentros. Judit tiene veinte anos y quiere ser como Regina Dalmau, novelista consagrada y proxima a la cincuentena, por la que siente una obsesion casi enfermiza. El dia de Todos los Santos se dirige a su encuentro, convencida de que la escritora sabra ver su talento para la literatura y le ayudara a abandonar el barrio proletario en el que ha crecido y del que reniega. Judit ignora que Regina, sumida en una grave crisis creativa, y victima de un profundo desasosiego moral, no puede ni siquiera ayudarse a si misma. La irrupcion de la joven en la casa de la famosa novelista hara que esta se enfrente a las verdaderas raices de su doble crisis, y a su relacion con Teresa, la mujer nunca olvidada que ilumino su pasado. La ultima leccion de Teresa se prolongara mas alla de su muerte, porque esta gran novela trata de la herencia que se transmiten las mujeres cuando se eligen unas a otras para tejer entre si un vinculo mas fuerte que la sangre.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this 2000 Premio Planeta award-winning novel, three women of different generations come together at critical points as each searches for her place in the world. Judit, a 20-year-old wannabe socialite scribe, looks to famed novelist Regina Dalmau to rescue her from her working-class neighborhood. But Regina, who is nearing 50 and yearning for her younger self, must first confront her past before helping her young fan. Specifically, she must reconcile her conflicted feelings toward her late mentor, Teresa, an elegant but conservative children's book author in the post-Franco years. A veteran journalist, novelist, and the author of the well-known novel Un calor tan cercano (A Warmth So Near, Alfaguara, 1997), Torres walks the reader through three generations in the vividly portrayed city of Barcelona. Some Spanish colloquialisms are easily understood in context. The novel's exceptional ability to capture the reader from the first chapter makes it highly recommended for all bookstores and public libraries. Teba Cespon, Queens, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Planeta (October 2003)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 8408040391
• ISBN-13: 978-8408040392
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,679,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book-truly moving, April 14, 2003

By 

Charleen Merced (Stamford, CT and sometimes in Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mientras Vivimos (Hardcover)

Regina, a famous writer is going through mid-life chrisis and at the same time an inspiration chrisis. Then, she meets Judit, who wants to be a writer, ust like Regina. Their lives become entangled as we learns of each's life, loves and desires. This is a great book. When I finished reading this book, I felt truly touched and moved.

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will touch you!, May 17, 2002

By 

Christina Gonzalez - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mientras Vivimos (Hardcover)

Mientras vivimos is a book about life. So many books are about this elusive, difficult to understand subject, but this one nails it beautifully. The aspect of life Maruja Torres covers is mainly change. Judit, a 20 year old who doesn't feel right in her own skin, feverishly idolizes novelist Regina Dalmau, thinking if she could live in a beautiful house and be as successful as Regina, her life would be perfect. One day, Judit meets Regina,who is having a crisis of her own, and their lives become intertwined as their paths have.
I loved this book. I saw a lot of myself in both Judit and Regina. Ultimately, Mientras vivimos is about life, change,the ties between women, and the secrets we keep. Maruja Torres has crafted a novel fitting of its title: "While we are alive". It's about what we take for granted: that other people often suffer as well and that in our own seemingly insignificant lives shines a unique value and hope. In this celebrity obsessed world, this book deals with the fragility of real life in two women of different backgrounds, fleshed out with realistic hopes, dreams, and frustrations. The book ultimately works in its undertaking. Well deserving of the prizes it has received.