My Mother, that Stranger

Main Themes and Topics

My Mother, that Stranger by Concha Alborg delves deeply into the personal ramifications of the Spanish Civil War and the gender dynamics of the time. The memoir sheds light on the experiences of women during a tumultuous period in history, offering a micro-historical perspective that contrasts with broader historical narratives. Through the lens of her parents' eight-hundred-plus letters, Alborg explores themes of love, war, and identity. The correspondence between her parents presents a dual narrative: the warfront experiences of her father, a soldier and later a renowned academic, and the domestic and governmental struggles faced by her mother in Valencia, the Republican capital. This intimate look at family life during the war reveals the resilience required by women who were shaped by the liberal ideologies of the Second Spanish Republic but were subsequently marginalized under Franco's dictatorship.

Writing Style and Tone

Concha Alborg's writing in My Mother, that Stranger is both poignant and reflective. Her narrative is infused with a deep sense of respect for her parents' journey, offering readers a vivid portrayal of their lives through rich descriptions and evocative storytelling. The tone is at once scholarly, due to her father's academic prominence, and deeply personal, focusing on re-evaluating her mother's role and experiences during the war. Alborg balances the historical significance of the letters with emotive expressions, crafting a narrative that resonates with both historians and general readers.

Brief Summary

My Mother, that Stranger is centered around the discovery of letters exchanged between the author’s parents during the Spanish Civil War, highlighting the personal and emotional landscape of that era. Her father, a soldier on the Republican side who later becomes a prominent literary historian, writes from the warfront, while her mother, living in Valencia—a new capital of the Republican government—works in a government co-op. The letters serve as a poignant testament to their love amidst the hardships of war and the everyday struggles faced, particularly through the eyes of the author's mother. The book brings to light her mother's untold story and her passion to document their life's challenges during the most trying times. It offers a unique perspective on the role of women in history, underlining their importance in both personal and larger historical narratives.