Last night I finished reading this book – in Catalan! 
It’s the first full book in another language that I’ve ever completed and though I can’t say I understood every word I actually got very hooked on it in a sort of ‘can’t put it down’ sort of way.
Does this photo show you how huge it is?  It is 658 pages long and has lengthy sections describing events and historical facts

‘And what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice, ‘without pictures or conversations?’
 If you are thinking of reading this novel, in any language, I would warn you that it is relentlessly didactic. the author wants us to know all about the building of the cathedral, the details of the various wars and how the armies were organised. He wants us to understand how life was in medieval Barcelona at a time when Catalunyan merchant ships were dominating the Mediterranean. Work, money, politics – all are explained sometimes at great length.
I thought of giving up several times and for a few weeks lost interest completely in the plot as the characters became static while the events of history unfolded around them.
Then…still reading as I was too stubborn to stop….I reached the last third of the book. Now reading alone as Pep had long ago finished it, I suddenly was hooked by the story. A plague ravaged Barcelona, the Jewish quarter came under constant attack from the Christian residents, the Inquisition started to terrorise the people and the main characters at last started to evolve into recognisable human beings with strengths and weaknesses.
It is worth reading this book if you are interested in this part of the world – I do know a lot more now about the history as well as feeling ready for the next challenge.
Which is …. our Sant Jordi book and we hope to read more of this one together and out loud – it’s a great way to learn a language