The book that Arturo Pérez-Reverte recommends reading: a war novel inspired by real events that was a huge success.

Arturo Pérez-Reverte, in addition to being one of the most widely read Spanish novelists, has become a cultural icon on social media. From his X account (formerly Twitter), the RAE member frequently responds to readers seeking literary advice. A few days ago, a follower asked him which of his works they should read after enjoying Sidi and Revolución. The writer, true to his straightforward style, answered with two specific titles : The Island of the Sleeping Woman and a historical novel that has won over millions of readers around the world.

This is The Italian, published in 2021 by Alfaguara, a work that combines action, espionage, love, and war, and is inspired by true events that occurred during the Second World War. The novel has been considered one of Pérez-Reverte's most successful in the last decade, thanks to its balance between historical accuracy and the author's characteristic narrative power.

The plot begins in the Bay of Algeciras, off Gibraltar, between 1942 and 1943. There, a group of Italian divers carried out secret operations that involved sinking Allied ships using manned torpedoes, known as "maiales." These men, considered heroes in their country, risked their lives on missions that today seem straight out of an action movie.

In the midst of this war scenario , Elena Arbués appears, a young Spanish bookseller who one day rescues a wounded diver on the beach. That man is Teseo Lombardi, alias Lazzaro, an Italian soldier who represents the other side of the conflict. From that encounter, a story unfolds that blends impossible love with the harshness of war and the tension of international espionage.

The novel stands out for the symbolic importance of the sea, a recurring element in Pérez-Reverte's work. The sea serves as a backdrop, a metaphor for uncertainty, and a space where the toughest battles are fought. In this context, the relationship between Elena and Lazzaro becomes a refuge from the horrors of war, but also a source of moral conflict.

One of the features most appreciated by critics is that the author doesn't simplify the enemy, but rather shows humanity even in the characters who are on the opposing side. Lombardi, for example, embodies courage and a sense of honor, while Elena reflects the transformative power of culture and the loneliness experienced in times of war. The story thus poses a universal dilemma: how can we love our enemy when the entire world is pushing toward hatred?

Since its publication, The Italian has been widely praised by both readers and critics. Among other things, its ability to balance the excitement of romance with the tension of espionage has been highlighted, as well as its skill in revisiting little-known episodes of World War II. Alfaguara, the publisher, reinforced its success by releasing a paperback edition in 2023, bringing the work even closer to new audiences.

With this recommendation, Pérez-Reverte not only reaffirms his own catalog as essential, but also reminds readers that literature can be a way to revive forgotten historical episodes.