Book: Above the Rain by Víctor del Árbol

A Journey Through Time, Trauma, and Redemption

Víctor del Árbol’s Above the Rain is a profoundly moving exploration of memory, loss, and personal redemption, set against a backdrop that weaves together different times and places, from the atmospheric streets of 1955 Tangier to the cold, modern edges of Malmö in 2014. As with many of del Árbol's novels, the characters are haunted by their pasts, and the novel shines as both a literary thriller and a deep dive into human frailty and strength.

The story follows two seemingly disparate threads: Miguel and Helena, elderly residents of a nursing home in Tarifa, and Yasmina, a young Moroccan woman navigating the criminal underworld of Malmö. Miguel and Helena, both estranged from their children and grappling with the knowledge that their lives may be nearing an end, are sparked into action after the tragic suicide of a fellow resident. Determined not to be passive observers of their final days, they embark on a journey that forces them to confront the darkest parts of their pasts. Their road trip becomes a metaphor for the fear, loss, and regret they are both running from and trying to embrace.

Yasmina’s story, on the other hand, deals with the immigrant experience in Sweden. As the daughter of Moroccan immigrants, she faces the disapproval of her family, especially her mother, and becomes entangled in a dangerous affair with a powerful Swedish police officer. The tension between her cultural roots and the world she aspires to inhabit is poignantly explored, as she becomes a tragic figure pulled deeper into Malmö's shadows.

Del Árbol deftly links these two storylines, demonstrating how seemingly unrelated lives are often connected by the histories of violence and trauma that linger beneath the surface. The reader is taken on a journey through time, visiting key historical moments, such as Spain's brutal Civil War and the legacy of Franco's dictatorship, which subtly shapes the characters' inner worlds. In particular, the novel’s depiction of Spain's Valley of the Fallen is a powerful reflection on national trauma and the long shadows cast by history.

The writing is elegant yet unpretentious, with a seamless flow that makes the book hard to put down. Even when the plot reveals its secrets, del Árbol’s command of pacing and character development keeps the reader fully invested. The novel’s emotional weight is palpable, and it leaves an indelible impression long after the final page is turned. Del Árbol does not rely on grandiose language but instead lets his characters and their intricate lives speak for themselves, delivering a raw, realistic portrayal of the human condition.

Above the Rain is a masterful novel that combines the best elements of crime fiction, historical drama, and psychological portraiture. Its realism and deep emotional resonance make it a standout work, capturing the complexities of aging, regret, and the never-ending quest for meaning. The parallel storylines are beautifully tied together in a way that enhances the novel's overall impact, making it a deeply immersive and thought-provoking read.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy literary thrillers that dig deep into the human psyche, del Árbol's latest work stands as a testament to his skill as a storyteller. Above the Rain is a novel that readers will be reluctant to finish, as its world is so vividly and sensitively drawn.