Juan de Oñate's Presagio: a literary thriller between two Galician eras
The renowned journalist and historian Juan de Oñate surprises us with Presagio, a fascinating novel published by Plaza & Janés that masterfully combines the literary thriller with a dual temporal structure. The narrative unfolds simultaneously in 1951 Galicia and contemporary Galicia, creating a narrative bridge where the author delves into universal themes such as absolute truth, the limits of faith, and the mechanisms of information manipulation 📚✨
Narrative structure and setting
The work alternates two timelines that gradually converge, revealing hidden connections between characters separated by seventy years. Oñate uses this structural device to contrast the information control systems in both historical periods, demonstrating how manipulation has evolved technologically but retains similar essences. The Galician setting, with its enigmatic atmosphere and rich cultural substrate, functions as an additional character that intensifies the narrative tension and mystery 🔍
Highlights of the setting:- Contrast between postwar rural Galician society and current globalized Galicia
- Use of the landscape as an active narrative element that influences the characters
- Meticulous historical recreation of 1951 Spain versus the contemporary one
In a world where fake news run rampant, Oñate reminds us that media manipulation is not a recent invention, but an ancient art in new clothes
Central theme and author's perspective
Through Presagio, Oñate reflects on the elusive nature of truth and how it can be distorted by particular interests or deeply rooted beliefs. Faith, both in its religious and institutional dimensions, is examined alongside the role of the media in constructing social reality. The author, leveraging his dual background as a historian and journalist, offers a subtle yet penetrating critique of how easily collective perception can be shaped, inviting the reader to question apparent truths 🧩
Thematic aspects developed:- Analysis of information manipulation mechanisms over time
- Reflection on how versions of the past condition the present
- Critique of the social construction of reality through media narratives
Relevance and contemporary timeliness
The novel transcends the conventional thriller genre to become a meditation on our relationship with information. Oñate draws surprising parallels between information control methods in Francoist Spain and contemporary disinformation strategies, demonstrating that the fundamentals of manipulation remain constant even as their tools evolve. This work confronts us with the unsettling question: to what extent are our current beliefs determined by manipulated historical narratives? 🤔