Barcelona 🇪🇸🌞

By Mary Costello.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

"Sometimes she thought she could live on cigarettes alone, silently, deeply inhaling, letting thoughts gather, coalesce, then purge themselves in the exhalation".

Barcelona is a collection of nine short stories by Irish author Mary Costello, known for her award-winning prose.

This book offers readers a glimpse into the complex lives of ordinary people grappling with moments of change, loss, and self-reflection.

The opening story, Barcelona, features a couple, David and Catherine, as they drive down the motorway to the Spanish city. The tension in their marriage becomes apparent through David's reckless behaviour and disregard for Catherine's feelings. His decision to suggest attending a bullfight despite her strong anti-cruelty stance marks a significant point of division in their relationship. This story sets the tone for many of the others, which examine emotional disconnect and moral dilemmas.

In Deus Absconditus, Martin travels to Paris to visit his son, John, who works for the US Government. The story weaves in reflections on parenting and the hope that he has instilled the right values in his son.

At The Gate explores a similar theme of reflection, as a woman contemplates her marriage while attending a literary festival with her mathematically-minded husband. Her connection with a character in the author's work deepens her sense of dissatisfaction and self-awareness.

My Little Pyromaniac introduces a freelance copy editor who finds herself living next to a former lover. Over time, her observations of his life and the family he has built help her realise the value of her growth, leading her to a bold decision.

In The Choc-Ice Woman, Frances, a retired librarian, reflects on the complexities of her life while accompanying the hearse carrying her late brother to his final resting place. Her musings on her marriage to Frank and her tolerance for certain behaviours reveal the quiet resignation that underpins much of her life.

Assignation tells the story of Marion, who, having spent three years working for the Cooke family in America, is considering a romantic relationship with a man named Michael Lalor. However, a traumatic incident from her past brings her to a realisation about her happiness.

Hitchhiker follows a woman as she confronts the remnants of a past love while exploring the emotional distance between her and her companion.

Groovejet delves into the lingering effects of a brief affair, while The Killing Line reveals the impact of Oliver's experiences on a farm, including his reflections on the death of animals and his growing vegetarianism.

Costello's prose is often haunting and evocative. Her descriptions capture the mood of her characters with precision and depth. However, while Costello's writing is powerful, some stories may feel overly bleak or confrontational, particularly those involving animal cruelty. The collection is a dark exploration of human relationships, self-doubt, and moral conflict.

For readers who appreciate deeply reflective, thought-provoking narratives, Barcelona offers a striking portrayal of life’s complex emotional landscapes. It may not offer comfort, but it provides a compelling look at the unsettling moments that shape human lives.

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