The Blue Palace of the Belgian Engineers

In September 1927, Nalo starts working as a trainee for the gardener at the blue palace of the Belgian engineers. In a time of revolutions and war, his years at the palace will bring his awakening to life. The Blue Palace of the Belgian Engineers richly explores a varied array of characters who, despite their distinct social backgrounds, share in friendship, love, and hardship.

With a careful and crafted prose, Fulgencio Argüelles succeeds in creating a realistic and immersive account, allowing us to join his narrator as he develops far more than an interest in gardening. An ongoing success in Spain, now in its eighth reprint, the story is a perfect blend of historical novel and top literary fiction. It is no wonder to see it earn its place as winner of the Premio Café Gijón and the Premio de la Crítica, two prestigious Spanish literary awards.