Xavi Casinos explores Barcelona's 1848 secrets in 'Tren de venganza'

The author blends historical fiction with a thriller about the first railway line and colonial wealth in Catalonia.

Generic image of a 19th-century steam locomotive at a historical train station.
IA

Generic image of a 19th-century steam locomotive at a historical train station.

Writer Xavi Casinos has released Tren de venganza, a historical novel set in Barcelona in 1848 that connects the birth of the railway with the city's colonial past and slave trade.

Known for his non-fiction work on Barcelona, Xavi Casinos ventures into fiction with a story centered on Rubén Cardona. This former police officer is hired to protect the Barcelona-Mataró railway construction from sabotages that threaten the dawn of the industrial era.
The book delves into the controversial links between Catalan fortunes and the transatlantic slave trade. Through characters like Tomás Boada, the narrative explores how colonial capital influenced the development of modern infrastructures in the 19th century.
Critics have praised the novel for its fast-paced plot and rigorous historical context. Tren de venganza serves as both an intriguing thriller and a deep dive into a decisive period when Barcelona began to redefine its identity through technology and global trade.