City of Wonders

This novel explores the rise of Onofre Bouvila, who leaves rural poverty for Barcelona during the 1888 Universal Exhibition, navigating a life of ambition, crime, and eventual moral decline.

"City of Wonders" by Eduardo Mendoza is a classic novel that explores the transformation of Barcelona into a major global city through the journey of the ambitious Onofre Bouvila. Set against the backdrop of the 1888 Universal Exhibition, the story captures the essence of Catalonian enterprise and the burgeoning spirit of Barcelona as it emerges from provincial obscurity.

Onofre, driven by the realization that his father is a fraud, leaves behind a life of rural poverty in search of fortune in the vibrant city. His journey begins with an unexpected opportunity to distribute anarchist leaflets, which sets him on a path filled with diverse and often unscrupulous ventures. From selling hair tonic to engaging in burglary, filmmaking, arms smuggling, and political maneuvering, Onofre's career evolves, granting him wealth and influence beyond his dreams.

However, as Barcelona rises, so too does the underbelly of vice and corruption, which begins to take hold of Onofre's character. His ascent to power and prosperity is juxtaposed with the moral decline that accompanies it, culminating in a climax that coincides with the city's second World Fair in 1929. Mendoza's narrative, translated by Nick Caistor, masterfully intertwines historical elements with contemporary themes, making "City of Wonders" a compelling exploration of ambition, identity, and the price of success.