
The novel opens on the sun‑kissed harbor of ancient Sagunto, where the sleek, saffron‑stained hull of Polyantho’s ship glides into a maze of canals flanked by bustling market stalls, fishing boats, and the gleaming marble of a temple to Aphrodite. The air hums with the clatter of cargo‑laden vessels from Marseille, Liburnia and Carthage, while slaves and merchants shuffle beneath towering stone columns, their lives intertwined with the tide and the promise of distant riches.
Amid this vivid tapestry steps Sónnica, a celebrated courtesan whose beauty and wit make her a coveted presence in the city’s most exclusive circles. As she weaves through the crowded docks and sumptuous feasts, her talents become a bridge between the world of the elite and the gritty labor of the port, hinting at hidden ambitions and the delicate balance of power that will shape her fate. The story invites listeners to linger in the fragrant, noisy streets of Sagunto, feeling the pulse of a world where desire and duty constantly collide.
Language
es
Duration
~8 hours (510K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Ramón Pajares Box and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
Release date
2020-02-18
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1867–1928
A fiery Spanish novelist and political activist, he turned the landscapes and tensions of Valencia into vivid, sweeping fiction. His international success later carried his stories far beyond Spain, especially through major film adaptations.
View all books