María Dueñas' New Novel Showcases the Plight of Spanish Refugees in Algeria

María Dueñas' New Novel 'If We Return One Day' Explores the Plight of Spanish Refugees in Algeria Valencia, Spain – In a recent interview on À Punt Mèdia, renowned Spanish author María Dueñas discussed her latest novel, 'Por si un día volvemos' ('If We Return One Day'). The novel, translated into over 35 languages, is set in Algeria during the early 20th century and focuses on the experiences of Spanish refugees. Dueñas shared that the book's setting is significant because of the large Spanish population in Algeria during this time period, and she highlighted the challenges they faced in the face of the Algerian independence movement in 1962. "In those years, and even before, there was a large Spanish population or population of Spanish origin in Algeria," Dueñas explained. "They went there as immigrants, they stayed, generations passed, and they became French." Dueñas' novel explores this historical context, focusing on the main character, Cecilia Belmont, and her journey from a difficult past to a new life in Algeria. The novel also portrays the mass exodus of people crossing the Mediterranean in search of a better future. The book promises a compelling story of identity, memory, and lost roots, set against the backdrop of a significant historical period.