Mare Nostrum

One of the most famous novels by the great Spanish writer Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, published in 1918 in the midst of World War I.

The action takes place in the Mediterranean, which in the novel becomes the scene of naval battles, espionage and secret operations. The main character is Fernando Ferragut, a capable and experienced Spanish merchant ship captain. Out of love for a mysterious and fascinating woman, he embarks on a dangerous game of secret services, which leads him through numerous adventures and dramatic situations at sea.

The novel masterfully combines an adventure story, a love drama and a war atmosphere. Blasco Ibáñez vividly and convincingly depicts life at sea, naval battles, the atmosphere of war and the inner conflicts of the main character. The work exudes epic breadth, realistic descriptions of the sea and a strong emotional charge.

Mare Nostrum achieved enormous international success in its time and is considered one of the best novels about the First World War. The novel is typical of Blasco Ibáñez – dynamic, romantic, dramatic and rich in vivid characters, with a clear humanistic message against war.