Raimón Casellas
Els sots feréstechs
"Els sots feréstechs" by Raimón Casellas is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative immerses readers in the harsh, isolated rural life of the Montmany region, focusing on the fate of its people and their troubled relationship with their land, their church, and each other. At its core, the story revolves around Mossèn Llátzer, a new parish priest, and the enigmatic figure of Aleix de las Tòfonas. The book explores themes of isolation, decay, superstition, and the struggle for spiritual and communal revival in a forsaken countryside. The opening of "Els sots feréstechs" introduces the village of Montmany and its peculiar characters, most notably Aleix, an ancient truffle-hunter surrounded by myths of witchcraft and hidden wealth, who suddenly vanishes and reappears in mysterious ways. The narrative then shifts to the community’s spiritual desolation after the parish church is abandoned following the departure of its priest. Into this bleak setting arrives Mossèn Llátzer, sent in disgrace, who is both unsettled and hopeful about reviving the parish. However, he finds the villagers apathetic and resistant, more like shadows than living souls, and his attempts to rally them to restore the church are met with silence and indifference. The opening paints a vivid picture of physical and moral decay, loneliness, and the immense difficulty of igniting change and belief among people deeply rooted in resignation and poverty.