: The story meticulously recreates early 20th-century Barcelona, detailing the stark contrast between the industrial working class and the privileged bourgeoisie, the birth of the labor movement, and the emerging feminist struggle.
Readers and reviewers generally praise the novel for its strong character development and atmospheric setting:
Set in 1909 Barcelona, the novel follows Francisca Romero, a young woman who arrives in the city during the violent "Tragic Week" to work as a servant for the wealthy Puig family.
: Francisca, also known as María Green, possesses a rebellious spirit and dreams of a life beyond her social station. Encouraged by Joan, a young anarchist, she discovers the vibrant, theatrical world of the Paralelo district.