A new look at family history
The renowned television presenter Toni Cruanyes, born in Canet de Mar in 1974, again enters the literary world with his latest work, ‘The wife of the century’, published by Columna. After his first novel, ‘The Valley of Light’, which was an emotional tribute to his grandfather and who awarded him the Pla Award, Cruanyes now focuses on the experiences of three women in his family to illuminate the development of feminism throughout the 20th century.
Rediscovering the silenced experiences
Cruanyes reflects on history from a female perspective, saying that women’s experiences have often been hidden. ‘His narrative, which has been silenced for so long, has deprived us of vital knowledge about our family roots. I have been fascinated by this journey of rediscovery through the eyes of my family’s women, ‘he shares in an interview with ACN.
The protagonists of the story
With the intention of doing justice to women who have influenced their lives, Cruanyes chooses their great -grandmother, grandmother and aunt as central figures in their narrative. Born between 1900 and 1954, these three women are a reflection of the transformations that the female role has undergone over the years.
The unknown domestic world
The journalist acknowledges that, despite his influence on the family environment, women’s contributions have often been invisible. “The experiences that develop between the four walls of the house are difficult to document,” he confesses. Cruanyes emphasizes that his work is defined as a non-fiction story, despite its narrative structure.
Generations in dialog
The book explores the intergenerational dynamics between women, where the relationships between mothers, daughters and in -laws are complex and full of nuances. “In my family, women have been deeply loved, but at the same time they had to fight to impose themselves,” he says. Also noteworthy is the special ties that connect grandparents with grandchildren, as well as grandmothers with grandchildren, which often share a unique complicity.
A nonlinear evolution
Cruanyes observes that the journey of women throughout history has not been constant. The advances made at the beginning of the century were followed by a decline during the Civil War and the postwar period, and only revived with the late Franco regime in the late 1970’s. “The turn of the century was a change in the mentality, and this evolution will narrate it through the lives of my protagonists,” he says.
Literary influences and female perspective
To approach the female reality with the depth it requires, Cruanyes has sought references in authors such as Mercè Rodoreda and Teresa Pàmies. “I need the support of women writers who have addressed similar topics to clean my gaze and enrich my narrative,” he says, acknowledged that this process has been essential for its growth as an author.
A personal and literary journey
The creation of this book has been a transformative experience for Cruanyes. ‘I am still in the process of discovering many aspects of my family history,’ he concludes, hinting that his literary journey is only the principle of a deeper exploration of the female voices that have been part of his life.