Grijalbo 2022

From the late 19th century until the 1950s, the humblest young women of the Navarrese Pyrenees would cross the mountains on foot to work in the espadrille factories on the French side. Like swallows, they would leave in October and return in spring, full of hope and carrying fabrics and belongings for the trousseau that would become their contribution to a future marriage.

Esperanza Ayerra is the great-granddaughter of Esperanza, a “swallow” who crossed the Pyrenees in 1913 and whose future was stolen by the world’s greatest conflict. She is the granddaughter of Esperanza, known as Perla, who had neither father nor husband due to the cruel fate of a divided Spain. She is the daughter of Espe, a woman who swallowed her sorrows and whom history left breathless. She is the product of the border between two countries that drift apart and come together when their people fall in love.

Four generations of women, accustomed to feeling in silence across time, borders, love, and war.