Els Banys de l'Almirall

by Dana Gynther, Laia Vilanova i Ángeles (Translation)

Fàtima, Àngels, Clara i Rachel, quatre dones que comparteixen una connexió tan antiga com els Banys de l’Almirall. Un antic bany públic del casc antic de València, avui reconvertit en museu. Sentinella que durant 700 anys ha sobreviscut a epidèmies, guerres, reconstruccions…
Els banys són el teló de fons on transcorre el costat més dolç i el més amarg de l’existència humana: l’amistat, el descobriment de l’amor i la sexualitat, la solidaritat en cas de desastres, i també la realitat de la pesta, la pèrdua d’éssers estimats, el desencant de les promeses trencades i el dolor de les mentides.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Spain

362 pages, Pocket Book

First published May 24, 2017

About the author

Dana Gynther was raised in Alabama, but has lived in Missouri, Massachusettes, France, Costa Rica and Spain. A writer of historical fiction, her first two titles, "Crossing on the Paris" and "The Woman in the Photograph" -- both with a French connection-- were inspired by her own connection to France. She spent nearly two years there after graduating from college, then returned to the University of Alabama to earn an MA in French Literature. After finishing her degree, however, she settled in Valencia, Spain, where she has lived for more than twenty years. Her third novel, "The Admiral's Baths," a multi-period historical, is set in Valencia. She began writing this novel after translating the website for the actual monument, a 14th century public bathhouse in the heart of the city.

Reviews

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this book because I moved to Alabama and met the author’s mother. Her mother, Ruth, is one of the most amazing women I’ve met - her wisdom and her kindness are a reflected in her wonderful smile. So meeting Ruth, I was eager to find out about her daughter and if she really could write. The answer is yes! I thoroughly enjoyed The Admiral’s Baths. I thought the characters were well developed and each part of the story engaging. My book club is reading the book and a couple of the ladies are quite conservative. It’ll be interesting to see how they like the book, but I found it captivating. Now I want to go to Valencia and see the Baths for myself. Meanwhile, I’ve already bought two more of Gynther’s books.

[Mary Dansak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! Author Dana Gynther takes her readers back in time with her meticulous details of the daily lives of four different women, their unique stories woven together by the Admiral's Baths, a real bathhouse still standing in Valencia. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the human side of history, or anyone who just enjoys great storytelling.

[Dana Gynther · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? :)

[Ellen Britton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A captivating read after visiting the baths in Valencia and the author herself who saw the magic of the place and decided to tell it.

[Katherine Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is exceptional in her ability to capture the ambiance of locations ranging from Tuscaloosa AL to Valencia Spain. Details about architecture, food, dress, and local customs allow you to immerse yourself in each character's experiences. Ms. Gynther is known for her ability to write about strong complex women. The Admiral's Baths does not disappoint. Everyone in my book club LOVED this book.

[Lectoraazul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Los baños del almirante de @gyntherdana.author publicado por @batidoraediciones es una ficción histórica a través de la cual conocemos la historia de 4 mujeres separadas por cientos de años pero con una cosa en común: los baños.

Rachel es nuestra protagonista contemporánea, y mientras la acompañamos en su trabajo de investigación sobre los baños conocemos a Fátima, Ángels y Clara. Con ellas recorremos momentos muy duros, sobre todo con las dos primeras: la peste negra y la inquisición. En estos relatos vemos continuamente la pérdida y el sufrimiento, y en algunos momentos es bastante duro, ya no solo por las muertes y la enfermedad (una parte bastante impactante de la historia) sino porque el libro, de algún modo, tambien nos habla de lo difícil que es ser mujer. Ser musulmana, ser judía, ser la solterona.

Nuestras protagonista, todas ellas mujeres fuertes, me han robado el corazón. Todas viven diferentes historias de amor llenas de sentimientos distintos: el amor de la familia, la amistad, los amores inocentes, los abusivos, los peligrosos, los tóxicos, los verdaderos y puros...

La ambientación de los baños tambien ha sido un plus para mi. Se muestran desde la intimidad femenina, como lugar de purificación y también de reunión, de descanso. Que sea el punto de unión entre las protagonistas me ha gustado mucho. Además podemos apreciar cómo cambia la forma de escribir de la autora con cada época que pasa, cómo se adecúa para mostrarnos las diferentes sociedades de cada momento.

En definitiva es un libro que he disfrutado de principio a fin y que sin duda recomiendo a quienes les guste la ficción histórica e incluso la novela romántica. Que no os de miedo el hecho de que no sea una editorial muy famosa, si no me hubiese gustado no os lo recomendaría, de corazón 💜 ¡Lo veréis en librerías a partir del 11 de Junio!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Admiral's Baths takes place in different centuries. It is about three different women in Spain who end up working in the bath house. One story is from the 1300s the other in the 1500s and final one in the early 1800s. Fatima, Angels, and Clara. each have their story how they ended up at the famous bath house that had been around for centuries. I was fine with learning about each character. but I was very disappointed that there was little story that actually took place in the bath house. I was hoping I would learn more about the patrons who came to the bath house and learned more of them. Interesting in parts but mostly disappointing.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I really struggle with fiction, but not with this book, I found the stories engrossing and really easy to consume. Especially interesting for anyone who lives in Valencia as it gives quite a deep and varied context on what the city was like across 3 centuries. High recommend!

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read filled with the beautifully descriptive essence of Spanish life across generations as the Admiral's Baths of Valencia serve as the focal point. How I will miss these characters tomorrow! Me gustaria poder visitar a Valencia mañana!! Thanks Kitty Greene for the great suggestion!

[Beverly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

the Admirals Baths

I enjoyed this book, but wished each story would have had an epilogue, or summary of what happened to each woman, later in life. I hoped they each got a happy ever after.

[Kali Nerby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time with the first half of the book. I found it to be pretty slow & I wasn’t connecting with the characters. I flew through the second half. Overall I thought the stories were odd and I think it was just not my type of genre.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as it is set in Valencia, Spain and I visited there. And indeed, I visited the door of the bath while there. (The bath is currently closed.)

Gynther's descriptions of Valencia were accurate and interesting. However, the novel.was sub par.

This is a book to skip.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and evocative portrayal of life and relationships in historic Valencia. The characters, and the interactions between them, are fascinating. Highly recommended!

[La biblioteca perdida · Rating 5 out of 5]

@labibliotecaperdida
Tengo que agradecer a @babelioespanol el envío del ejemplar dentro de la iniciativa de masa crítica. Decir que la novela me ha fascinado.
Ha sido mi primer contacto con la autora y he quedado totalmente encantada.

Su forma de escribir, grandes y profundas descripciones hacen que te traslades a cada una de las épocas en las que esta novela se detiene a contar la historia.

Además, el hecho de que mis últimas lecturas no hayan sido novela histórica ha hecho que me de cuenta de que ésta es la que más me gusta.

A lo largo de diferentes momentos históricos (1348-1530-1805 y 2011) y a través de 4 mujeres (Fátima, Angels, Clara y Rachel) nos sumergimos en la ciudad de Valencia y en concreto en los Baños del Almirante.
Cuatro historias de cuatro grandes mujeres, anónimas, mujeres corrientes con vidas bastantes duras.

Una historia de pérdidas, reencuentros, amores, traiciones y sobre todo lucha y fuerza.
Por ponerle un pero, me hubiera gustado que las historias, especialmente las de Fátima, Angels y Clara hubieran quedado más cerradas. Aunque es una manera de hacer que el lector continúe pensando en la historia y en qué sería de las mismas una vez contada su historia.

Decir, que las cuatro historias se conectan por varios aspectos, no sólo por los propios baños por lo que se hace alguna alusión a las anteriores en las siguientes.
Me he quedado con ganas de más, por ello continuaré leyendo a la autora con sus otras novelas en inglés. Ésta de momento, se ha convertido en la segunda mejor novela del año. Le doy ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 5/5

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Admiral’s Baths, her third novel, Gynther artfully weaves the lives of four women into the human history of Valencia’s public bathhouse. While reading it, I was truly able to imagine myself in that secluded yet public place marked by so many lives and experiences. Not only does Gynther’s storytelling fascinate us with what happens in the bathhouse itself but it also captures the tides of everyday human life over centuries. I found myself crying with the characters' pain and rejoicing in their triumphs. Each section left me wanting to continue reading and find out more about the bathhouse and the women Gynther so creatively brings to life.