If someone has read "The Shadow of the Eagle", the style will be delightfully familiar to them. That blend of humor and tragedy, of gunpowder and valor, which Reverte loves so much.

The novel is relatively short and narrates one of the dark episodes in the History of Spain. I don't know if it happens to more people, but I always get in a very bad mood when I read the History of Spain. So many wasted lives, so many wrong decisions due to religious motives or because of "what others will say", or for similar silliness. With what we could have done and how little we did...

The thing is that Reverte writes as he pleases. Why deny it? He has an extremely fluid style, very vivid, very descriptive, which makes one fully enter into the action. I liked "The Shadow of the Eagle" more, perhaps because of the novelty, although this exercise has surpassed the previous one. I suppose that now Reverte is simultaneously preparing a new installment of Alatriste and some other novel, who knows, although the themes that he likes are running out, and he himself admits that when the themes run out he will stop writing. With a pair.

Therefore, a highly recommended novel, more for Reverte fans like me.

The renowned author Pérez Reverte narrates the naval battle of Cabo Trafalgar in his characteristic style. On one side, the Spanish and French squadrons enter the battle with very limited resources, while on the other side stands the powerful British navy. Beyond the historical fact that we may or may not know in advance, the author reveals the final outcome of the skirmish from the beginning of the book. Nevertheless, we experience step by step the movements, attacks, and cannonades of the Spanish ships. The story follows the Spanish ship "Antilla," and by the end of the book, we will learn its true history. A wrong order from the French ship brings misfortune to the Spanish and French vessels.

At the beginning of the book, the author presents us with some illustrations of the ships, including the names of their specific parts, and three illustrations showing the positions of the ships of both sides before, during, and after the battle. These illustrations were extremely useful to me, and I referred to them throughout the reading. Finally, an appendix provides details of the armament of the ships and the sad details of the dead and wounded on board the Spanish ships.

We are facing a historical novel that narrates the Battle of Trafalgar from an intimate and exciting perspective, presenting the viewpoint of all those involved in this important battle. Pérez-Reverte immerses us in the turmoil of the combat aboard a Spanish ship, depicting the bravery and sacrifice of the sailors.

The best aspects:

+ The novel is firmly based on historical facts, which makes it even more fascinating. It provides a detailed and accurate account of the events, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of this significant moment in history.

+ The author maintains intrigue and suspense throughout the entire narration. He manages to keep the readers engaged and on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what will happen next. This has also sparked my interest in the history of Spain, something that I never really had the desire to read about before.

What I didn't like as much:

- The ironic tone and the frequent use of devices such as onomatopoeias and foreign words can sometimes distract the reader and detract from the seriousness of the history. While some may find it amusing or more enjoyable, for me it gets boring after a while.

- At times, the description of the battle can be confusing and make it difficult to visualize the scenes. There is too much advanced naval terminology for someone who is not familiar with it. This can make it a bit of a challenge for some readers to fully grasp the details of the combat.

The Battle of Trafalgar is vividly described in great detail from the perspective of the Antilla, a ship that was not part of the Franco-Spanish line. However, from the very beginning, the reader is immersed in an unrivaled way in the combat against Nelson's English forces.

The account takes the reader on a thrilling journey, painting a picture of the intense naval warfare that took place. The actions and maneuvers of the ships, the strategies employed by the commanders, and the courage and determination of the sailors are all brought to life.

Despite not being directly in the line of battle, the Antilla provides a unique vantage point from which to observe the ebb and flow of the conflict. The reader can almost feel the excitement and tension as the two sides engage in a fierce struggle for supremacy on the high seas.

This detailed narrative offers a fascinating insight into one of the most significant naval battles in history, allowing the reader to experience the drama and excitement of the Battle of Trafalgar as if they were there.

Really, we are not dealing with a novel here, but rather the novelization of a historical event. It is a subtle change. A novel focuses on the actions of the characters, while what Reverte does here is to tell you the battle, each of its real facts, through the crew of a fictional ship that he invents for the occasion. But it's not like in La sombra del águila, which had an interesting collective narrator-protagonist: here the protagonists are the captain of the ship, a marine guard, and a sailor forcibly recruited. Characters who, not being the center around which the story is built, have no interest or evolution at all. Therefore, everything ends up being dull, and I have been flipping through the pages in the last third without paying much attention.

The fact that it is dull is an unavoidable defect. For an author like Pérez-Reverte, who basically writes adventure novels without much significance, the only thing that cannot be forgiven is that he bores. And Cabo Trafalgar has bored me. It is the first of the author's works that I have actively disliked. It is written on commission and seems to be written without much enthusiasm.

I cannot help but comment on the style. The cheeky tone, with a large number of word games, jokes about the French, puns, and anachronistic jokes, quickly becomes tiresome: again, it reminds me of La sombra del águila, but what is allowed to a first-person narrator does not work as well with a third-person narrator. It gets worse when he tries to be serious and gets tangled up in those tired reflections about the rough and noble Spanish people, who grow in the face of adversity, who defecate on everything (the reference to the genital appendix is throughout the text), and who would rule the world if only they had the luck not to be governed by thieves and incompetents. In short, the same old thing.

The Battle of Trafalgar was a significant naval engagement that took place on October 21, 1805. It was a battle between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of France and Spain.

This battle is often regarded as one of the most important in British history. It was a crucial moment in the Napoleonic Wars and had a profound impact on the balance of power in Europe.

The recreation of the Battle of Trafalgar was an amazing event. It allowed people to experience the excitement and drama of this historic battle in a realistic way.

The ships used in the recreation were replicas of the original vessels, complete with their characteristic sails and cannons. The crews were dressed in period uniforms and followed the same procedures and tactics as the sailors of the 19th century.

The battle was reenacted with great precision and attention to detail. The sound of the cannons and the sight of the ships engaging in combat were truly awe-inspiring.

Overall, the stupenda recreación of the Battle of Trafalgar was a remarkable achievement. It provided a unique opportunity for people to learn about this important event in history and to appreciate the skill and courage of the sailors who fought in it.

The novel tells the story of the Battle of Trafalgar, one of the most famous naval encounters of all time. The combat took place on October 21, 1805, and pitted the English against a Franco-Spanish alliance that outnumbered them in ships and crews. In the encounter, the British navy prevailed. Unlike the Spaniards, they had professional sailors, and unlike the French, they had capable officers.

To break the line of the Franco-Spanish squadron, the British admiral Nelson chose to split it in two by attacking the center of the formation. The ships of the alliance had difficulties maneuvering due to the unfavorable wind, which meant that many ships did not arrive in time for the battle or were outnumbered by the enveloping technique executed by the English once the allied contingent was divided in two.

Nelson's tactics and courage cost him his life in the battle. However, he made a place for himself in the history books and gave his name to one of the most famous squares in London. His death in this battle and other previous victories, such as the naval battle of Copenhagen or the Battle of the Nile, made him a national hero.

Nevertheless, the writer does not delve into Nelson or the English any more than necessary. Pérez Reverte is more interested in telling the political situation of the time, with an incompetent Carlos IV who delegates his government to Godoy. The Frenchified favorite of the monarch pays homage to Napoleon and is intimate with María Luisa de Parma, the king's wife and his cousin before they married.

Many details of the social situation of the time are also given, with the description of the difficulties widows of sailors had in claiming their pensions, the delays in military pay, and the forced recruitment that was carried out in Cadiz to fill the crews of the Spanish ships.

In any case, the core of the novel is the description of the battle, for which the narrator uses the fictional Spanish ship "Antilla" as the central element of the narrative. Among the characters on its crew, the commander Carlos de la Rocha, the marine Ginés Falcó, and the sailor Nicolás Marrajo Sánchez stand out.

Although the ship and the crew mentioned above are fictional, the military actions, the armament, and the details of the battle are very well documented.

It's an enjoyable read if you like history, although sometimes it can be a bit difficult to follow the action as the author uses many nautical terms that will be unfamiliar to the average reader. To facilitate understanding, there are some drawings at the beginning of the book that illustrate the different elements that make up a ship.

This book is not just a novel; it is like a history class conducted by an extremely cool teacher.

It is remarkably precise and illustrative, being both historically accurate and skillfully using creative licenses.

At times, it is dramatic and hilarious. It offers a raw and realistic description of a naval battle that truly immerses you in the scene and the mood of terror.

Moreover, it makes me burst out laughing with its play on French and Spanish words and the utilization of the purest Spanish humor.

The author has done an outstanding job in presenting history in an engaging and entertaining way.

Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply looking for an exciting read, this book is highly recommended.

It will not only educate you but also keep you entertained from start to finish.

So, don't miss out on this wonderful literary gem.

I bought it without knowing who Arturo Pérez-Reverte was.

At that time, I was just randomly browsing in the bookstore and this book caught my eye.

I had no idea that this decision would change my reading preferences forever.

As I started reading, I was immediately drawn into the captivating world created by Pérez-Reverte.

His writing style is so vivid and engaging that I could easily imagine every scene and character in my mind.

Before I knew it, I had finished the book and was eager to read more of his works.

Since then, I have become a big fan of Arturo Pérez-Reverte and have read many of his novels.

Each one is a masterpiece in its own way, full of mystery, adventure, and profound insights into human nature.

Thanks to that initial purchase, I have discovered one of the most talented and inspiring authors of our time.

It turns out that the French swear in French. And people shit on the dead of others.

Thank you, Reverte, for repeating that same joke twenty times. I'm sure that if you repeat it enough, in the end we'll find it funny.

Ah, and Napoleon threatens to fuck with vaseline, a product that, by the way, was not invented when the battle takes place.

Whoever picks up this book, I recommend reading instead Trafalgar by Benito Pérez Galdós, especially the edition by Julio Rodríguez Puértolas (Ed. Cátedra). Not only is it better documented than this one, it is clearer in the development of the battle and that edition is wonderfully annotated.

I never thought that I would go through a book on Trafalgar thinking "Come on and let the Santísima Trinidad sink once and for all".

Commemorating yet another anniversary of the famous Battle of Cape Trafalgar, the well-known Spanish writer created this account of it. In this, he attempts to narrate to us the events that took place, but above all, he tries to imagine and recreate the feelings and thoughts of the men who fought there.

Pérez-Reverte presents us with a story of men, sailors, Spaniards, French, and English. But above all, he speaks about honor and patriotism, about how between duty and desire, obedience and conscience, there is a world of distance, and each man must traverse it alone.

Filled with idioms, jargon, and bad words, both French, as well as Andalusian, Galician, and Castilian, the characters in “Cape Trafalgar” show us their feelings, way of being, and thinking. A language that is a bit difficult for those of us who practice another type of Spanish, but that is still understandable. Here we say that when someone who is not used to it says a vulgarity, it “comes from the soul.” Well, that's what the characters of Pérez-Reverte do, they speak from the soul.

The work is difficult to read because to these idioms we must add all the naval terminology and language, so it is practically impossible for the common reader to understand everything that happens. It is understood that the author does this to be faithful to the source, to historical reality, and yet he leaves us enough clues so as not to get lost, although it is a fact that we advance more slowly than with other readings.

Finally, it must be recognized that the novel has magic, and above all, an ending so emotional and unexpected that it leaves us with a wonderful taste in our mouths.

A very, very recommended work for those who like historical novels, ships, and naval battles, and for the fans of the author. Those who like “easy” readings and nothing complex should abstain.

For what purpose did these Spaniards follow in the Battle of Trafalgar, which was actually directed between Napoleon's France and Britain? For the sake of Spain's honor, despite the fact that this "their" war was not. It was mobilized by force for their own values and not for the victory of the oppressors, the "inferior navy" of Horatio Nelson's fleet. The result we know well, however, the small (actually very large) sacrifices of individual people are significantly shown to us by Don Arturo. Then what if the "antilia" did not always exist... This story also really happened.

In the Battle of Trafalgar, the Spaniards found themselves in a complex situation. They were involved in a conflict that wasn't truly theirs. Driven by a sense of honor and perhaps some other motives, they joined the battle against Nelson's fleet. The outcome is well-known, but the individual sacrifices made by the Spaniards are often overlooked. Each person who fought and died had their own story, their own reasons for being there. Don Arturo's account gives us a glimpse into the lives and experiences of these individuals. It makes us realize that behind every historical event, there are real people with real emotions and struggles. The story of the Spaniards in the Battle of Trafalgar is a reminder of the complexity of history and the importance of understanding the human side of events.