Ecce Woman

Far from the train Antonia Vicens's novel strikes with unusual force, confirming, page after page, the indomitable talent of an already essential author. La Magrana's publication twenty-five years after the first edition is not only an act of justice, but above all an invitation to (re)discover a work that remains radically relevant. Cecilia's story, immersed in an emotional and physical vertigo marked by AIDS, unfolds with a disarming and visceral intensity: Vicens sugarcoats nothing, offers no protection to the reader, and it is precisely thanks to this naked and stark gaze that a most painful tragedy unfolds, leaving her a monstrous, unspeakable figure. The suffering, the fear, the delirium, the fragility, and the conversations and interactions with angels are not described, they are narrated and experienced in the first person through an incisive, wounding prose that transforms the reading into a raw, profound, and unforgettable experience, a relentless read that—I know this for a fact—is truly remarkable.

Another of the great merits of this cry pitiless It is her brutal ability to portray an inner state with truths that are unsettling, yet also moving and poignant. The imagery is often extreme, the narrative voice oscillates between innocence and overwhelming intensity, and this sustained tension constructs a literary worldview of bestial openness. Vicens manages to draw the reader into the mind and body of the protagonist through her voice. The narratological resources are particularly brilliant, to the point that some final scenes manage to make the anguish transcend the boundaries of the text. Far from being a gratuitous exercise in cruelty, this intensity stems from a clear artistic intention: to say what is difficult to say, to put words to certain taboos, to make visible what is often hypocritically hidden. For these reasons, Far from the train, Antonia Vicens's work was pioneering a quarter of a century ago and is now a highly relevant triumph that engages with the neo-grotesque trend. It also incorporates an unflinching critical eye on the Catalan literary world, portrayed with irony and a lucid, biting wit that exposes its vanities, miseries, and obsessions with awards and recognition. This satirical dimension enriches the volume and adds layers of interpretation, demonstrating Vicens's skill in combining introspection, social commentary, and literary ambition. Far from the train It is not just a tough book: it is a very brave, radical and necessary proposal that confirms Antònia Vicens as one of the wildest and most authentic voices in literature.