The story begins during a summer festival (the Romería del Carmen ) where two young people, and Lucas (a newly graduated doctor), meet and fall in love. Their future seems bright until the war breaks out just two days later. The conflict places their families on opposing sides. A major plot point involves Lucas’s brother, Gabriel , who is taken prisoner and faces a death sentence, leading to a "courageous and unexpected gesture" that shifts the course of their lives. Critical Reception
El corazón con que vivo (2020) is a celebrated novel by the Spanish architect, cartoonist, and author , better known as Peridis . Set during the Spanish Civil War , the book earned the prestigious Premio Primavera de Novela . Unlike many war novels that focus on military strategy, this work explores the deep, personal impact of the conflict on a small community in the Palencia-Cantabria region.
: The author describes the book as a "metaphor for living together after a disaster". It is frequently cited by reviewers as a call for solidarity and a reminder that even in the darkest times, people are capable of extraordinary gestures of kindness.
: A central message is that personal bonds and shared humanity should transcend political divisions. The novel portrays characters from opposing sides who help one another, emphasizing that the "absurdity" of war often forces people to choose between their beliefs and their neighbors.
: Set in the fictional village of Paredes Rubias , the story shows how a peaceful community is suddenly torn apart by the 1936 uprising. Peridis uses "microscopic" storytelling to show how the war affected families, turning brothers against each other.
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