A writer from Bolton-le-Sands who now lives in Barcelona is set to publish her first novel about three families connected by a shameful past.
Julia Slack has written 'The Road to Somorrostro' which is now available to pre-order on Amazon Kindle.
Julia, a freelance teacher, copy editor and proofreader, is originally from Bolton-le-Sands and has lived and worked in Barcelona since 1997.
Her interest in Somorrostro beach, home to thousands of gypsies until its demolition in 1966, was sparked by French photographer Jacques Leonard. His marriage to Rosario Amaya, a gypsy from Somorrostro, allowed him unprecedented access to the very closed community.
Julia spends her free time discovering new parts of the city and walking along the beautiful beach where the tourists remain blissfully unaware of its dark, forgotten history.
Her debut novel is set in Barcelona in the 1960s.
A shameful past connects three families with a secret that cannot stay buried forever and from Barcelona’s old town to the gypsy slums on Somorrostro beach, the intertwined destiny of two generations is unravelling.
Margarita Marquez’s best friend has fallen in love with the mysterious Kiko. Uncharacteristically envious, Margarita yearns to meet someone to help her escape her mundane life and is thrilled when she meets a charming English artist.
Caught in the grip of alcohol dependence, Margarita’s mother, Carmen, is struggling as her past comes back to haunt her. She must try to heal the rift with her daughter and support her when the unthinkable happens.
Santi Calaf is determined to follow his dreams of becoming a doctor and is mentored by an ancient gypsy healer. He’s shocked when he discovers that she holds the key to the truth, and as her life ebbs away, the ghosts of Somorrostro can finally be laid to rest.
The book has had great reviews, with award-winning author Eva Alton calling it a "wonderful historical novel" and author Nic Winters saying it is "a beautifully written story that shines a light on our human fragilities".
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