Description
Devoted entirely to her profession as a teacher and firmly convinced that education is the foundation of freedom, she experiences the arrival of the Republic as a moment of hope and great promise. It heralds sweeping changes: the creation of new schools, the recognition of the vital role of teachers, salary increases, the fight against ignorance and entrenched conservatism, and, above all, a strong commitment to introducing modernity in Spain through education.
Yet, putting these ideals into practice is no easy task. Deep-rooted issues and stark social imbalances, along with the hostility and resistance to change from a society unwilling to evolve, gradually shape María’s life. The outbreak of the Civil War marks the most horrific event she will encounter in her professional life and leads to her being prohibited from teaching in Spanish schools— a black mark on her previously impeccable teaching record. As if that were not enough, she made the fateful decision to fall in love with a local doctor: a Republican and an atheist. This love, despite her devotion to her profession, ultimately forces her to flee Aranjuez, go across the Atlantic, and seek refuge in Mexico City. Her life, her dreams, her struggles, her dedication, and her sacrifices unfold across the pages of this novel, set against the backdrop of historical events, evoked through the nostalgic light of memory and the pain of exile.
