A well-constructed narrative that mixes elements of the detective thriller, the dark romance, and the most classic Spanish picaresque, with frequent dashes of irony, humor, and considerations full of common sense. The protagonists are two Civil Guards (rural policemen): Sergeant Bevilacqua, an unemployed ex-psychologist, closer to forty than thirty, intuitive, secretly in love with his woman subordinate. And the character Chamorro, who has lost his chance at an Army career, and who sticks with earnest realism to the concrete case at hand, with just enough touch of ingenuity so as not to miss those borderline cases he’s been assigned to in the department of investigation. At no point does the plot lose interest. From the moral point of view, the reader has to keep in mind that the whole adventure stems from a shameful occurrence, more shameful than terrifying. The narration presents it in a restrained way, without going into too detailed a description. At times, the policemen have to get involved with some sordid business in several cities: the author deals with this also with moderation and a certain elegance. J.M.M.Q. (2007)
El alquimista impaciente
Moral assessment:
Type: Literature
Nothing inappropriate.
Some morally inappropriate content.
Contains significant sections contrary to faith or morals.
Contains some lurid passages, or presents a general ideological framework that could confuse those without much Christian formation.
Contains several lurid passages, or presents an ideological framework that is contrary or foreign to Christian values.
Explicitly contradicts Catholic faith or morals, or is directed against the Church and its institutions.