Jorge Laguna's new novel delves into Lanzarote before the Timanfaya eruption
In his new novel "Blood of Malvasia," Tenerife writer Jorge Laguna depicts Lanzarote in 1730, on the eve of the Timanfaya volcano eruption, where a detective story unfolds against a backdrop of drought, disease, and the struggle for survival.
The Tenerife writer Jorge Laguna has written a new novel that takes us to Lanzarote in 1730. At that time, the island was suffering from drought, disease, and earthquakes, which seemed to herald the awakening of the Timanfaya volcano. In this disturbing atmosphere of conspiracies and power struggles, the author shows a society on the edge of the abyss. And all this – over a glass of malvasia, a local wine.
"Some chroniclers of the time said that it was the year of the end of the world," Laguna says in an interview with DIARIO DE AVISOS. His book "Blood of Malvasia" (published by Suma de Letras) describes the events that took place a month before the great volcanic eruption, which from 1730 to 1736 destroyed crops, fields, and almost all villages.
The author tries to show how difficult it was to survive in those days: "Then there was the worst drought, there was almost no rain, livestock died, and a leprosy epidemic raged. Lanzarote became a prison of poverty, surrounded by the ocean," he explains.
In this oppressive atmosphere, a messenger arrives on the island from Madrid with an important message for the mayor of the city of Teguise. But he dies on the day of his arrival, without revealing his mission. Yaiza Leal, a student of a local healer, does not believe in the accidental death of the messenger and, together with her father, begins an investigation. And her father, by the way, is the mayor himself!
"The story is based on real events," Laguna assures. After all, in those days there really were royal messengers who brought orders from Madrid. This fact became the starting point for creating a detective novel closely intertwined with history.
The title of the novel is related to the island's main product – malvasia wine, which in the 18th century supported the economy of Lanzarote and even attracted French merchants. "Lanzarote was a poor island that only made wine. But this wine was of interest to others," the author notes. "Economic tension was combined with the superstitions of local residents who lived in constant fear," he adds.
Laguna recalls that in those days "10 to 15 percent of the population were slaves" and that the central government had almost forgotten about the island. "They said that all ships sailed through Tenerife, Gran Canaria or La Palma. No one needed Lanzarote," he claims.
Malvasia "was the only export product that interested the crown," says Jorge Laguna. According to historical records, this wine was traded with England and France, and it is even mentioned in Shakespeare's works.
In "Blood of Malvasia", his third novel after "The Secret of La Indiana" and "The Guest of the Yellow House", the author once again combines historical research with fiction. "It is not enough just to tell an interesting story. It is important to understand what is behind it. And behind the Timanfaya volcano was hunger, fear, and a people who fought for survival."
The presentation of the book "Blood of Malvasia" took place on October 10 at the Book Fair in San Cristóbal de la Laguna, and will also take place at the CajaCanarias Foundation in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
(Information from Jorge Laguna's social network Х @jorgelaguna94)