La mujer silenciosa

Acclaimed as a ‘great European novel’ (La Vanguardia), this is the story of an aristocrat woman born in Prague towards the end of the ‘Golden age’ of Aristocracy. We met her, Sylva, in her days as a silent and enigmatic old lady, separated from her only child (who lives in the US) for political reasons. She will tell us about her days of splendour in Prague and Paris, before the Nazi invasion of Prague and the later Soviet rule of the country. At this time of her life she has understood that few things in life (if any) depend on our wishes. Sylva, lives now of her memories and the hope of meeting again a man whom she loved when she was young and fashion.

Of this novel, the critics have said:

‘It is a classical novel, Central European in spirit and sensitivity, with echoes of the great masters of this kind of refinement, such as Stefan Zweig or Sandor Marai.’

Maria Jose Gil Monmatti, La Razon

‘Zgustova’s novel connects with the great Russian and European literature of the last two centuries/.../ A novel of ideas, an important book, well written /.../ which demands a careful and loving reader.’

Jordi Llavina, Avui

‘The Silent Woman is an ambitious and elaborate novel; /.../ Zgustova can feel satisfied with her acute exploration of human morality submitted to the authority of individual as well as collective guilt.’

Eva Comas, El País

‘In 400 masterly pages Monika Zgustova portrays the wretchedness of the 20th century and the decadence of Prague. The author recreates history with an excellent and seductive use of language.’

Jordi Capdevila, Avui