Catalan writer and translator Carlota Gurt is once again in the literary spotlight. Her new novel, set against the backdrop of the dried-up Sau reservoir, was unanimously named the winner at the 11th Llibres Anagrama competition. The prize fund totaled 12,000 euros, and the book’s publication is scheduled for late March. The jury praised not only the originality of the plot but also the author’s bold perspective on contemporary issues.
At the heart of the story are two characters, Ramona and Faust, who meet by chance in an abandoned resort park on the shore of an almost vanished reservoir. Their encounter takes place on Christmas Eve, as each tries to escape their own reality. Ramona arrives seeking solitude for a few days, while Faust joins a corporate lunch with colleagues at the dam. Yet the novel doesn’t devolve into a clichéd tale of love or passion. Gurt deliberately avoids stereotypes, exploring how people nourish each other without conventional romantic or sexual motives.
The protagonists and their world
Ramona and Faust are opposites, but it is precisely their differences that set the stage for a complex psychological game. Ramona is consumed by destructive thoughts; her inner world teems with anxiety and dark fantasies. Faust, in contrast, embodies gentleness and care, serving as a counterbalance to her inner turmoil. Their conversations resemble a hall of mirrors, where each finds in the other a reflection of their own fears and hopes. Gurt masterfully shows how even the most different people can end up closer than they appear at first glance.
Interestingly, the author conceived the idea for the novel after a personal visit to the Sau reservoir, when the water level had dropped below 10%. This image of emptiness became not just a backdrop, but a character in its own right. On the day of the press conference announcing the winner, a downpour struck Catalonia, and attendees’ mobile phones buzzed with emergency flood warnings. The contrast between the drought in the novel and the real-life weather only heightened the impact of the book.
Drought as a metaphor
Gurt does not limit herself to environmental themes alone. In her novel, drought is not just the absence of water, but also a symbol of emotional, professional, national, and even sexual exhaustion. Through the fates of two protagonists, the author raises questions about how people deal with inner emptiness, where they seek solace, and what truly motivates their actions. Every reader will find something personal on these pages: some may see the tragedy of loneliness, others ironies about modern society, and still others an attempt to find meaning in the chaos of everyday life.
The competition jury especially noted that Gurt’s novel is a real challenge to conventional narratives. The book offers no easy answers and, despite the bleak setting, does not slip into despair. On the contrary, the author has managed to create a work after which you don’t feel like giving up—in fact, it might even inspire you to see the world differently.
Literary Style
Carlota Gurt is known for her ability to combine tragedy and irony, as well as to create vivid, dynamic characters. In her new novel, she once again demonstrates masterful command of language. Every dialogue, every detail is precisely placed—there isn’t a single superfluous phrase. The book is like an exquisite tasting menu, where readers can savor a range of emotions and moods. This is not just a story about two people against the backdrop of catastrophe, but a profound reflection on the nature of human relationships and what it means to be alive in a world that seems scorched to the ground.
Gurt is already well known in literary circles thanks to her short story collections and previous novels. Her works have been repeatedly recognized with prestigious awards, and each new project sparks interest among critics and readers alike. This time, the author has not only managed to surprise but also to prompt reflection on issues that usually remain behind the scenes.
Reaction and Expectations
Carlota Gurt’s victory at the Llibres Anagrama competition has become a milestone for Catalan literature. Her novel is already being hailed as one of the year’s most anticipated books. Critics note that the author has managed to turn the bleak landscape of a dried-up reservoir into a powerful metaphor for our times. The spotlight falls not only on environmental issues but also on the inner droughts everyone experiences.
The book is scheduled for publication in March, and it’s already clear: the novel will spark heated discussions. There are no familiar recipes for happiness here, but there is an honest conversation about what happens to people when the world they know falls apart. Gurt is not afraid to ask uncomfortable questions and to leave the reader alone with their own thoughts. This is the true power of her prose.
