Luchadoras: Memoria de una deshonra saldada

At first glance, few readers will know who María and Carmen Menéndez are or why they share the same surname. The explanation is simple: they are the mother-in-law and wife, respectively, of the politician Santiago Carrillo, and both are the protagonists of this story. And what interest could their practically anonymous lives hold for those who hold this book in their hands, you may ask? María was born in a small Asturian village, marked by caciquismo (local political bossism) and rural life, and was the victim of one of the worst forms of violence a woman can suffer. That experience pushed her to leave, and it was in Barcelona where she gave birth to Carmen. In 1939, mother and daughter were forced to flee to France. There they consolidated their commitment to the Communist Party. In that environment, Carmen met Santiago Carrillo, with whom she shared her personal, family, and political life until the end of her days. Her youngest son, Jorge Carrillo Menéndez, reconstructs the lives of his mother and grandmother in this intimate and moving account. His family memories are intertwined with the historical context spanning from the Second Republic, the Civil War, and the long exile to Francoism and the Transition. Abuse of power, single motherhood, historical memory, education, female resistance and survival... these are some of the themes that run through this intergenerational story. But above all, it highlights the struggle, courage, solidarity, and firm social commitment of two women who, despite adversity, left an indelible mark.

Pages: 224, Edition: 1 armband, Paperback, Almuzara