Gent d'ara : Comedia en dos actes by Eduard Coca i Vallmajor

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Gent d'ara : Comedia en dos actes by Eduard Coca i Vallmajor

(2 User reviews) 477

By Jennifer Chen Posted on Mar 22, 2026

In Category - Epic Fantasy

Authors: Coca i Vallmajor, Eduard, 1872-1908 Published By : Coca i Vallmajor, Eduard, 1872-1908

Book Language: Catalan

Okay, so picture this: it's 1905 in a small Catalan town. People are obsessed with the new century, with all its fancy electric lights and modern ideas. But what happens when that shiny new future smacks right into old traditions, family secrets, and a whole lot of stubborn pride? That's the delicious heart of 'Gent d'ara' (People of Now). This two-act comedy is a time capsule and a mirror all at once. It's not just about the clash of old and new; it's about the hilarious and often painful scramble that happens in one family's living room when their carefully built world starts to crack. You'll meet the father clinging to his authority, the son dreaming of progress, and a cast of neighbors who are equal parts gossipy and well-meaning. The real mystery isn't a crime—it's whether this family, and by extension their whole community, can figure out how to move forward without completely falling apart. It's witty, surprisingly sharp, and feels weirdly relevant even today.

File: Gent d'ara : Comedia en dos actes by Eduard Coca i Vallmajor

Eduard Coca i Vallmajor’s Gent d'ara is a delightful snapshot of a society in transition, wrapped in the familiar package of a family comedy. Written over a century ago, it speaks with a voice that still feels clear and engaging.

The Story

The play unfolds in the home of the Rigau family. The father, Sr. Rigau, represents the old guard—a man of strict principles and traditional authority. His son, Joan, is bursting with ideas about progress, science, and the modern world. The central conflict ignites when Joan's newfangled plans (which might involve anything from business ventures to his choice of a partner) threaten the family's social standing and his father's sense of control. As the two lock horns, the mother tries to keep the peace, neighbors drop by with their own opinions, and the whole household becomes a battleground for the era's biggest question: how much change is too much?

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me wasn't just the historical setting, but how human the characters are. Sr. Rigau isn't just a 'stubborn old man' caricature; you feel his fear of becoming irrelevant. Joan's enthusiasm is infectious, but you also see his naivete. The comedy comes from their very real, very relatable inability to understand each other. Beyond the laughs, the play quietly asks big questions about generational gaps, social pressure, and the cost of progress that we're still arguing about today. It's a short read, but it packs a punch because the family drama is so universal.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories or has a soft spot for historical fiction that doesn't feel dusty. If you like plays by Chekhov or stories about family dynamics, you'll find a lot to love here. It's also a fantastic, accessible window into the Catalan cultural mindset at the dawn of the 20th century. Don't expect high-stakes action; the drama is in the dialogue and the silent tensions across the dinner table. Gent d'ara is a charming, thoughtful comedy that proves some family arguments are truly timeless.

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