‘Cathedral of the Sea’ author to publish new novel ‘Slave of Freedom’ on August 30

The Barcelona-born writer Ildefonso Falcones will publish his latest novel ‘Esclava de la llibertat’ - ‘Slave of Freedom’ in English - on August 30.

The author is best known for his 2006 historical novel, ‘Cathedral of the Sea’, set in the Catalan capital in the 14th century.

Overall, Falcones has sold 11 million books worldwide, and his new one tackles issues of "great social significance", defending "cultural diversity, historical justice and freedom."

‘Slave of Freedom’ narrates the tale of two black women’s "fascinating" struggle for freedom in different eras: colonial Cuba and 21st-century Spain.

It has been described as a "passionate" work that highlights "historical injustice that still survives in today's world."

The story features two "brave" characters who fight against injustice and racism in their respective milieus.

One of the plots takes place on the island of Cuba, where a ship carrying slaves arrives.

More than seven hundred women and girls, abducted from their native Africa, arrive to work in the sugarcane fields to the point of exhaustion, and to give birth to children who will be enslaved just as they are.

Kaweka is one of these girls who experiences the horror of slavery on the Marquis of Santadoma’s estate first-hand, although she soon proves that she has the power to communicate with Yemanjá, a volatile goddess who has the power to heal the sick and give them strength, thereby helping the slave community in the struggle for freedom against their European oppressors.

The modern day story presents Lita, a young mulatto woman who has spent her entire life as a servant to the Marquises of Santadoma, just as her ancestors did in colonial Cuba.

As she delves into the Marquis’ bank’s finances and their wealthy family’s past, Lita discovers the origins of their fortune and decides to embark on a legal battle for justice.

Barcelona’s ‘Cathedral of the Sea’

So far, the author and lawyer has published five novels, including his most widely-known work, ‘Cathedral of the Sea’.

Falcones’ magnum opus has been translated into 15 languages and published in 32 countries.

The novel, which addresses the themes of arrogance and prejudice, tells the story of the son of a fugitive serf who combines hard work and good fortune to climb the social ladder to nobleman status, which in turn brings newfound problems into his life.

The plot is all in the shadow of the construction of Barcelona’s Santa Maria del Mar cathedral in the El Born neighborhood, after which the novel is named.

The best-seller has since been adapted into a TV drama, which has now been made available on Netflix.