The Crystal Storm
The Crystal Storm is a thriller written by the Spanish architect, critic, musician and author Pedro Torrijos. The work was published on September 13, 2023 by Ediciones B. Since its release, it has received mostly mixed reviews from readers, especially due to the technical aspects that are abundantly addressed in the novel.
En este sentido, The Crystal Storm has average ratings of 4,4 and 3.73 stars on platforms such as Amazon and Goodreads, where it is possible to appreciate, despite the negative reviews, unconditional support for Pedro Torrijos in his literary career. In principle, The work expands on technicalities about architecture, but soon takes a turn and becomes a dizzying climb..
Synopsis of The Crystal Storm
A monument that begins to crack
El thriller It is set in the city of New York, specifically in 1977. In this context of growing economic and social expansion, Citicorp's brand new building is inauguratedThe great peculiarity of this place is its structure, which has completely broken the laws of modern architecture, transforming it into one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the Manhattan skyline.
However, Few people know what this project has meant to Bill LeMessurier. Since he accepted the job six years ago, he has not only had to deal with the obstacles of gravity that could prevent him from lifting this giant of concrete, steel and glass, but he has also put his personal life at risk. Later, the tension grows with a new difficulty.
The promise of an icon that falls apart
To add more pressure to his already troubled life, Bill LeMessurier receives a call that could put his reputation in jeopardy. It turns out that A brilliant structural engineering student has found a calculation error In the design of the building, pointing out that this could come to crumble causing imminent catastrophe. LeMessurier is unwilling to admit his mistake.
Despite his pride, The protagonist finds himself in danger due to the proximity of a great crystal storm, which triggers a countdown that threatens the entire city. Will LeMessurier be able to put his ego aside to save the streets and people of New York? Pedro Torrijos recreates a true story that, at the time, devastated one of the most important metropolises in the West.
Architecture as the protagonist
What differentiates The Crystal Storm from other novels is the way in which Torrijos turns NY into a moreThe city is not just the setting where the story takes place, but a living entity that influences the characters and leads them to confront their own dilemmas and aspirations. Torrijos uses his deep architectural knowledge to build a world that feels both tangible and symbolic.
Regarding narrative, Pedro Torrijos is known for his ability to transform architecture into literature. His style combines technical precision with a visually rich language., making the reader feel attracted and visualize the spaces that the author describes. Each page of The Crystal Storm It is an invitation to imagine, explore and, above all, to feel.
What did the critics say?
After its publication, The Crystal Storm has been acclaimed for its originality and depth. Torrijos has managed to attract both literature lovers and those fascinated by architecture., striking a perfect balance between the technical and the emotional. The novel has been praised for its ability to weave complex themes with an accessible and captivating narrative.
Best quotes from Pedro Torrijos
- «The best spaces are designed taking into account how they are lived, and how they are lived is associated with time»;
- «I try to make people have fun, have a good time, enjoy reading a curiosity or a story, because I genuinely believe that a very pleasant ecosystem can be created on Twitter»;
- "I always say that I don't know much about almost anything but that I have my eyes wide open";
- «It is possible that physical space, whether constructed or mediated, is actually the most voluptuous expression of the human condition. At least the most visible»;
- «By consciously escaping from current events, I believe, and I strive to do so, that the stories I tell are reasonably timeless»;
- «(…) and she wonders if love is that delicate mix of affection and pride»;
- «He has shouted at everyone. He has been shouting all his life. (…). Sometimes he loses himself in the void and throws his anger inside (…), but the void is never filled»;
- «She does her best, but it's not enough. It's never enough. You can always do a little better. Her grades were great, but they weren't perfect, they're never perfect. She's never perfect. She's not perfect today either.»
About the Author
Pedro Torrijos León was born in 1975, in Madrid, Spain. He studied horn at the Getafe Conservatory between 1984 and 1998. Later, He graduated in Architecture from the Higher Technical School of Architecture in Madrid (ETSAM). He then served as a professor at the institution in 2001 and 2003, and between 2009 and 2011. He is also a real estate appraiser by profession.
In 2012, during a first stage, He served as a contributor to magazines such as Norma Jean Magazine, iWrite y Magnolia Magazine. In addition, he has written opinion articles for media such as The Economist, Magnet, El País, Jot down, and yorokobuSince 2013, the author has been using social media to tell interesting stories about architecture, especially on Twitter (currently X).
Every Thursday he usually posts stories about cities or buildings in the form of threads using the hashtag #LaBrasaTorrijos. These information pills are written live from a short script. To make the reading more enjoyable, the writer encourages his readers to use a specific soundtrack to enjoy the thread corresponding to that day, which has given him notoriety.
Literary chronology of Pedro Torrijos
- Unlikely Territories (Kailas Editorial, 2021);
- The Crystal Storm (Editions B, 2023);
- The pyramid at the end of the world (Kailas Editorial, 2024).