Morir bajo tu cielo

by Juan Manuel de Prada

Uno de los episodios más heroicos y desconocidos de la historia de España narrado por uno de los escritores más brillantes de la literatura contemporá e l desastre del 98 y la pérdida de Filipinas en la nueva entrega literaria de Juan Manuel de Prada. Entre el 30 de junio de 1898 y el 2 de junio de 1899, un destacamento español resistió el asedio de las tropas filipinas, muy superiores en número, en la iglesia del pueblo de Baler, en la isla de Luzón, incluso cuando aquellas tierras habían dejado ya de ser españolas. Aquellos soldados pasarían a la historia como «los últimos de Filipinas». En Morir bajo tu cielo, inspirándose en aquel episodio,Juan Manuel de Prada nos propone una inmersión en la Filipinas de la época, de la mano de personajes inolvidables que permanecerán en la memoria y el corazón de los oficiales heridos por un secreto dolor, frailes trabucaires, soldados tratados como carne de cañón por sus gobernantes, insurrectos filipinos llenos de grandeza y coraje, traficantes de armas sin escrúpulos y mujeres excepcionales que han de serlo en un mundo áspero y turbulento. El lector los acompañará en sus batallas físicas y dialécticas por cuarteles y palacios, fumaderos de opio y lupanares, reuniones nocturnas del temible Katipunan, selvas acechadas por los feroces ilongotes, manglares infestados de caimanes y haciendas donde aún se respira el perfume de la Arcadia, antes de confluir todos en Baler, donde los aguarda su destino. Novela épica y novela intimista, novela de aventuras y novela de ideas, Morir bajo tu cielo es también un homenaje a tantos hombres y mujeres que suplieron la ineptitud de unos gobernantes nefastos con voluntad, valor, sacrificios personales y amor a sus semejantes. En palabras del propio Juan Manuel de «En Morir bajo tu cielo, con el telón de fondo histórico de la pérdida de Filipinas, pruebo a hacer novela de aventuras exóticas y novela política, novela romántica y esperpento, novela intimista y novela bélica. Es una historia de largo aliento, coral y apasionada, protagonizada por hombres y mujeres heroicos, en contraste con la España de la Restauración, pululante de políticos corruptos y fariseos profesionales, que los sacrificó sin que le temblara el pulso. Más o menos como nos sacrifican hoy, por cierto».

Genres: Fiction

752 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 2, 2014

About the author

Juan Manuel de Prada Blanco, escritor, crítico literario y articulista español.

Reviews

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

No hacéis una idea de hasta que punto escribe bien este hombre. Ahí lo dejo.

[Fonch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dedicated with my best wishes to Gilmar Siqueira, and Daniela Chamorro.

Promises are sacred, and i have to keep them. For this reason I expect that the users of Goodreads forgive my delay, (unforgiving). I offer the review of this master piece was written by Juan Manuel de Prada. In my humble opinion Juan Manuel de Prada is not only the best catholic writer of Spain. He is the best writer of my country Spain. With the purpose, that the name of Juan Manuel de Prada were familiar to users of Goodreads. I recommend to the users of Goodreads to read my review of his novel about Saint Therese of Jesus “The castle of diamond” https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In this novel Juan Manuel de Prada had the intention to emulate to the Spanish writer Benito Perez Galdos to create a National Chapters of the Spanish history in the 20th century. The novel is about the brave Spanish soldiers who defend Baler in Philippines. De Prada is like the main character of “Mr. Smith goes Washington” a defender of the lost causes, those that it is worth to fight for them. In the same case of Rodas (Nothing was better defended the Emperor Charles V say). These braves’ soldiers defend heroically when Philippines had surrendered to United States. These men resisted to the Philippines for several months.
The novel is a play with five acts (if we count the prologue and the epilogue). The prologue is played by the nun Lucía and Teodorico Novicio the leader of the Philippines. It is really exciting . In the first act (really are three acts) Juan Manuel de Prada introduces the main characters to the readers. The first is the Captain Enrique de las Morenas (a mirror of the walking knighthood) and his family (in this part there is a critic against the regime of the Spanish Restoration in the dialogue with Paradas, the bad priest, and the official). In second chapter appear Saturnino Martin Cerezo and his assistant Calventey a man with self-destructives trendiness, and he hated God, and their ministers. It is interesting the description, who made Juan Manuel de Prada of the opium store. He reminded me very much to Oscar Wilde and the cosmopolitism of Pierre Loti. Perhaps his best character was the nun Lucia. She is a break hit woman heart. She is very inspired in the character who played Audrey Hepburn in the movie The Nun's Story , without having the faith crisis, who suffer the Fred Zinemann`s character, who has not idea that she want to do with her life. (I have not read the Kathryn M. Hulme novel`s but I have a bad opinion of the Fred Zinemann movie, that in my opinion The Nun's Story is the story of a apostasy). De Prada used old new things to make his novel. He catches the elegancy of Mrs. Hepburn to create the nun Lucia. Lucia has a superior level than Audrey Hepburn. She despite being alone can face to the leader of the Philippines Teodorico Novicio, and another gallants without losing her virtue (who say my teacher of history in La Salle Ramon Bayarri Olivan it did not happen anything). The loves provoked by this nun are purely Platonic, despite the critics about this person. She got to obtain the best of the person who love her. She is the opposite to the Femme fatal . In her chapter played together Teodorico Novicio De Prada salutes writers like Emilio Salgari, and the polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz. They have to survive to the Philippines rebels, Ilongotes, and the wild life (lovely caiman). In this phase of the novel the nun and the member of Katipunan speak about the divine and the human. I cheer up to the reader. They do not miss any dialogues between them. Undoubtedly is one of the best part of the novel. De Prada is an archeologist, who rescues forgotten words. The next chapter is played by Candido Minaya a friar who has a secret in his heart he reminded to me powerfully to the Graham Greene`s priest (“Power and glory” and “The honorary consul”). The friar Candido has two missions an official to persuade to Nun Lucia to come back to Philippines ordered by his bishop Nozedal, and he has a particular mission. He is a brave priest who evangelized to the Ilongotes tribes. Other character is the Carlistes follower Ramiro Garzon, the carlistes are similar to the Jacobites, and the followers of the king Michael in Portugal. The Carlistes defending the salic law defended the right of Carlos Maria Isidro to reign in Spain in the place of the Spanish queen Elisabeth II. A part of them they defended the Spanish legislation previous the constitution of 1812, and the catholic religion. Although I do not share the point of view of the Carlistes, the few persons that I have known are noble, brave, and good persons, I was posting in a forum, despite not agreeing with their opinions they were more tolerant, respectful than many persons who consider tolerant and respectful. The carlistes ideas of Ramiro Garzon is influenced by the goodness influence of Juan Manuel De Prada`s friend Miguel Ayuso. In one of the best articles Juan Manuel de Prada receives a prize of the Spanish monarchy for the article what is the monarchy for you?. Although it was strange the monarchies ideas of Juan Manuel de Prada are similar to the ideas of Joseph Pearce, Charles A. Coulombe, and my friend Elena Maria Vidal. However De Prada his kind of king follows the Spain model, and not the absolutism French model. For him the king protect the people against the nobility and the economic power. For this reason De Prada is against the parliamentary monarchy, because is a treason to his ideas. Ramiro Garzon has a blood half daughter Guicay (who has with a Philippines woman), thanks to her and the nun Mercedes we know the historical figure of Rizal (thanks to Juan Manuel de Prada have escaped the prejudices that I had against this character). After De Prada introduce the different soldiers Chamizo an alter ego of Juan Manuel de Prada, Calvete, Vigil, the pincher gipsy Santamaria (who played and adventure in Port Said)and Gonzalez de Toca, and Menache . The passages of this novels are from the United States director John Ford , although the novel is hostile to the United States ,who conquer Philippines, after declaring the independence in 1947, because Philippines was a problem for them. He spoke the trying of United States to introduce protestant sects to denaturalize the Catholic Religion. With all I prefer something like De Prada who say the critic loyalty, than another who pretend being a friend, but they are worse than Juan Manuel de Prada. I know a lot catholic friends in Goodreads to realize that there are a lot of America and not only the Mayflower`s pilgrims).
In “Die under your sky” appears one of most hideous villain of the history of the literature. Rutger van Houten, who is an allegory of the black legend, (it is not strange he was from Netherlands). The use that De Prada makes of the allegory reminded me to the Japanese writer Shusaku Endo some of their characters are allegories (In his novel “Scandal” equal like Juan Manuel de Prada reach the same conclusion that Juan Manuel de Prada. The novels were born the suffering and the pain of the writers. He did not either beautiful novels). Phisically Rutger van Houten is inspired in one of the Juan Manuel de Prada favorite actors (De Prada is a moviegoer) Rutger Hauer. I wandered while I read the novel if Van Houten (the surname) was inspired in the repellent Bart Simpson`s friend Milhouse van Houten. A part of this Van Houten has in common with Kurtz (although I have the idea that Kurtz had good intention before his utopia in Congo finished with the sad result of “Heart of darkness”). In my opinion has in common with Svidrigailov (one of the villain of “Crime and punishment” was written by one of the Juan Manuel de Prada`s favorite author Dostoyevski. This novel influenced powerfully in his youth, and his Christianity). Van Houten is a clear example of the Darwinism, and the Nietzsche teaching. He believes in the idea of race, not the race of the French count Gobineau, He believe in the American sociologist who believe in the decline of the Latin races. A man only reach the chaos, and destruction. He hates Spanish, and Philippines for equal, although he used the second for his evil purposes (He is a member of Katipunan with his barbarian rites, a weapons smuggler, and mason of course). His relation with the honorable Teodorico Novicio is dreadful, despite they have the same purpose (really not are the same) . It is curious but the Philippines rebel except Emilio Aguinaldo. First he betrayed Spain, and after to United States are not very bad.
In the second act all characters some sent by the governor Primo de Rivera met in Baler. They are a lot of atractions Guicay-Chamizo, De las Morenas-Lucia, (It is really curious but De Prada with the novel describes much better his women characters. The nun Lucia and Guicay are very well built. There are a wonderful conversation between Guicay and Chamizo about the women, although it was politically incorrect I agree with Guicay. After there are another beautiful dialogue between Enrique de las Morenas, and Staurnino Martin Cerezo about the resurrection and the romance of the Children Count “El conde niño”. In spite all there are a clash between Staurnino, and Enrique, Saturnino with Lucia, and Fraiar Candido. Chamizo is the nemesis of the evil Menache, and Van Houten is evil and more evil with the spend of the novel. In some case provoke the laugh of the reader, although in another moment is terrible like a fallen angel.
In the third act we read the siege of Baler, De Prada although there are combats he is not a battle writer like Tolkien, Stephen R. Lawhead, Victor Hugo, Galdos, Arturo Perez Reverte, or Ryo Wada. The situations happened in the abbey not in the battlefield. We look the decision of the Spanish soldiers fell, and fighting with the temptation of giving up. Saturnino is close to the paranoia. All character will have to fight against their devils. Although, there are moment of beauty. De Prada wrote one of the most beautiful deaths of the literature. Van Houten followed his low instinct, although he cannot with the virtue of Guicay. This character reminded me to Roger Prynne, but he is not the character of “Scarlet letter” was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I am refering to Roger Prynne of Roland Joffe of the movie Scarlet Letter. Candido will have to face to his past, Lucia will decide between Las Morenas, or Teodorico Novicio. Saturnino has to face to his violence nature. There will be time to make justice and to see a figth between the good, and evil , at last a character receive his punishment. De las Maorenas, and Chamizo will be heros, Candido, and Saturnino reached the redemption, other suffering the cruelty of the fate. They are characters who cross the narrow gate Caldentey, and Gonzalez de Toca, and Van Houten and Menache receive their punishment.
The novel concluded with a feeling tribute to “Heart of darkness” we look in the conversation between Lucia, and Carmen the two women in the life of the Paladin Enrique de las Morenas (an authentic Amadis Gaul or Quixote). Also they are a one of the beautiest ending that I have ever read. There are a violent struggle against the regime of the restoration in Spain (although we do not believe the Spanish is similar in the evil to the Spanish Transition). The critic of Juan Manuel de Prada is against the restoration, and to our period of history. Philippines served to him to warn that the following movement will be the independence of Catalonia, and Basque Country. De Prada reports the two parties, but equally the new politics, worse than the old politics.
Juan Manuel De Prada is a prophet that unfortunately we do not want to listen, although we should listen and keep his words in our hearts. He have written a classic of the twenty first century. In my opinion if it is not the best novel that I have read in 2016. It is close to become it. At finally De Prada offer a thunder light of hope because even in Dark Age appears excellent Spaniards like the characters that defended Baler, and the courage is inherited. This is the story when we were soldiers. It is our responsibility to fight for the best of their legacy.
A part of “Die under your sky” this year De Prada will write a novel about a old writer and his disciple in the line of his admired Henry James. Despite their critic against the globalization. I do not lose the hope, because De Prada said who likes the popular genres. I wish I could read a epic Christian fantasy novel was written by him, or and sword and sandal genre siliar to the western to the catholic writers. God please continue leading his leather, and the ideas from his head, and heart.

[Joaquín Soldevilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Me deslumbró con "Las máscaras del héroe" pero desde entonces no veo luz. Me encanta como escribe pero no más allá.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, very well written. I was looking into some insight about the Spanish-Philippine-US war which was always kind of a mystery to me and this book was all I needed to know. The author was very angry when he wrote it though, you can tell by the way he used his most abominable character to spew all sorts of venom against Spain but most poignantly against the United States involvement. Where the Americans this horrible? Letting men they capture to starve in cages and so forth? Now I'm interested in reading from the US point of view.

[Sandreta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente libro. Impecablemente escrito, narra los últimos años de colonización de España en Filipinas, usando como eje conductor a José Rizal, un poeta filipino que fue fusilado por defender sus ideas políticas. Historias maravillosamente entrecruzadas en una prosa a la vez sutil y descarnada. Era la primera vez que leía una obra de este escritor pero sin duda no será la última :)

[Lila Gloria Fernández de Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha encantado. Tiene personajes inolvidables. El autor te lleva de la mano a vivir situaciones intensas.Es un libro de los que digo lo volvería a leer.

[Luis Sagi-Vela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novela histórica sobre los últimos de filipinas.
Juan Manuel de Prada me gusta más como columnista y pensador que como novelista. Escribe muy bien pero para mi gusto a sus libros les falta tensión narrativa para engancharte.
Me hubiera gustado entender más y mejor como se produjo el final de la presencia española en Filipinas.

[Antonio Morales Martínez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novela excelentemente escrita con un estilo barroco, casi rococó, aunque a veces fluctúe entre un salvajismo gratuito y una ñoñería prescindible, semejante esta última a un antiguo tebeo de Roberto Alcázar y Pedrín.

[Coleccionista de finales tristes · Rating 1 out of 5]

La portada está incorrecta por la vestimenta

[Mabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

No hice clic con este libro. Me pareció buena la trama pero demasiado larga. Me gustó el final. Me salté mucho de en medio.

[Alejandro Ayala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terminado. La sensación que me ha dejado es agridulce pero positiva en general. Por un lado, la ambientación me ha parecido soberbia, de las que más he disfrutado nunca en una novela histórica, aunque la forma de escribir del autor es un tanto rebuscada y demasiado adornada para mi gusto (creo que si hacemos el ejercicio de eliminar el exceso de adjetivos y adverbios comparativos lograríamos hacerla adelgazar 200 páginas). Esa ambientación, capaz de llegar a cualquier rincón de la Filipinas de finales del XIX, es lo mejor de la novela, junto a las reflexiones de los personajes sobre el amor y el odio hacia España. Hay conversaciones, monólogos interiores e instantes de lucidez que son realmente bellos.

Sin embargo, en el otro lado de la balanza, y pese a que casi todas las historias que se desarrollan en la novela me han gustado (sobre todo la de los soldados del sitio de Baler, con Chamizo a la cabeza), la "principal" no me ha podido interesar menos (aunque es una novela bastante coral, con muchos personajes, así que tampoco la he sufrido tanto como pueda parecer).

A mi modo de ver, el gran problema de la novela reside en que el autor se apoya en unas bases históricas sólidas, ambientando su historia en unos hechos fidedignos, con multitud de personajes que existieron en la realidad, pero luego cambia los acontecimientos a su antojo. Cuando te apoyas en unas bases históricas creíbles, con personajes creíbles, me parece muy osado cambiar la historia para beneficiar al contenido de la novela. O te ciñes a los hechos o te ambientas en la época y te inventas otros, pero mezclarlos no me parece correcto. Si presentas una novela "ambientada", es decir sin ningún personaje histórico real como protagonista de tu novela, me parece estupendo que te inventes todo lo que te quieras inventar del personaje. Si estás escribiendo una novela histórica sobre algún personaje que realmente existió y del que existen determinados datos, no deberías falsearlos.

De todos modos, la sensación general es satisfactoria. Me ha gustado mucho sumergirme en ese momento histórico, y pese a sus defectos, ha merecido mucho la pena. (8/10)