The face of the shadow: Alfredo Gómez Cerdá

The face of the shadow

The face of the shadow It is the first volume of the saga The networks of silence, written by the Spanish author and cult figure Alfredo Gómez Cerdá. The work was first published on January 1, 2011 by Ediciones SM. It was later reissued on April 4 of the same year. After its release, it received mostly mixed reviews.

On platforms such as Amazon and Goodreads—where most of the reviews are read worldwide—it has average ratings ranging from 4,6 to 2.94 stars, respectively. Most of the negative reviews relate to the open ending of the book. and the surplus of some pages that, according to some readers, are unnecessary because they do not contribute much to the story.

Synopsis of The face of the shadow

The viralization of a fatal error

The story follows three teenage friends: Adrian, Borja and ClaudioWho They decide to play a seemingly harmless prank and record it to later share it on the Internet. However, which starts as a game ends in tragedyDuring filming, the situation gets out of control, and the boys' actions trigger an accident that puts a person's life in danger.

The joke, which quickly goes viral, not only exposes the irresponsibility of the protagonists, but It also deeply affects their personal relationships., their self-esteem and their ability to face the consequences of their actions. It is then that The face of the shadow becomes a work about ethics and the misuse of social networks.

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Main themes addressed in the work

What responsibility means in the digital age

Gomez Cerda places at the center of its narrative the power of the Internet as a tool for mass disseminationThrough the eyes of the characters, it shows how an impulsive action can be amplified on social media, generating unforeseen consequences that cannot be reversed.

Youth morality

The novel explores how teenagers, in their search for identity and belonging, often They prioritize social approval over ethical discernment. This leads the protagonists to question whether what they did was just a joke or something much more serious. Of course, these reflections are perceived from a point of view that is too juvenile, so the characters are not reliable.

Emotional and psychological impact

The book examines how guilt and social pressure affect young people, showing that impulsive decisions can leave lasting emotional scars. The psychological implications of whether or not to accept the consequences of terrible acts are reflected in the novel., making the characters evolve through pain and regret.

Narrative style of the work

Gómez Cerdá's prose is simple, but effective. She uses accessible language that connects with young readers, but does not avoid complex themes. Vivid descriptions and natural dialogue make the story relatable and authentic. This novel is not only entertaining, but also serves as an educational tool. to open the dialog on the risks of the social media and the importance of empathy.

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Alfredo Gomez Cerdá manages to make the reader identify with the characters, while encouraging deep reflection on the impact of the elections. The face of the shadow is an essential work for teenagers and adults interested in understanding the ethical challenges of the digital age. It is a powerful reminder that every action has a face, and often, that face is our own.

About the Author

Alfredo Gómez Cerdá was born on July 6, 1951, in Madrid, Spain. The author took his first steps in the theater and culture of his country. However, He is best known for his literary works for children and young people., becoming one of the leading writers of Hispanic narrative. His prolific work includes more than one hundred and sixty books, including anthologies.

Of course, Gomez Cerdá has also written scripts to be presented in theatre, in addition to constantly collaborating in comics, press, specialized magazines and numerous activities related to children's and young adult literature within and outside Spain's borders.

Other books by Alfredo Gómez Cerdá

Children's narrative

The magic words (1984);
The city that had everything (1988);
The sixth TV (1991);
The Monster and the Librarian (1991);
The secret of the great river (1991);
The raindrop (1993);
Amelia, Amelia and Emilia (1993);
The leader of the gang (1993);
The treasure of the ghost ship (1994);
Through the fogged glass (1994);
The Wizard of the Underpass (1995);
Dad's business (1996);
When I'm older (1996);
Double room for single use (1996);
The Journey of Mr. Sun (1997);
The magician Colasa and the balloon (1997);
Notebook of kisses (1998);
The Bird of Dawn (1998);
Inhabitants of the river (1998);
Cousin Piglet (1998);
Dad and mom are invisible (1998);
The rat room (1998);
The pirate's chest (1998);
The balcony of the nameless witch (1999);
The shadow of the big tree (2000);
Playing the Indian (2000);
A monster in my mirror (2000);
The garden of pets (2000);
Rink (2000);
Do you have a girlfriend, Jeronimo? (2000);
The boss (2000);
Andrea and the fourth wise man (2001);
Cerote, the king of the henhouse (2001);
Luna's braids (2001);
The night of the magic city (2002);
Manolo Multón and the magician Joker (2002);
The grasshopper train (2003);
The Swallow's Two Friends (2003);
Weaving and Scouring Pad (2004);
a lucky dog (2004);
The most beautiful mountain (2004);
When Miguel was not Miguel (2004);
The tiger who was afraid of chickens (2004);
Pigacin (2005);
.. Jerome (2005);
Lightbulb Breaker Scam (2005);
Miserable job (2005);
Cheating Bear (2006);
The tree in the corner (2006);
Cousin Piglet (2006);
On the trail of grandfather (2006);
The most precious treasure in the world (2007);
Bigger than me (2007);
The queen of the mountains (2007);
The wise man with four ears (2007);
The invisible giant (2008);
Pigacín and the big guys (2008);
Mari Pepa and the club of madmen (2009);
The mouse of Laviana (2009);
The Stunner's Loot (2010);
The lesson of Four Paws (2010);
A movie train (2010);
Cat love (2010);
Mateo and the bag with a bottom (2011);
Santa's secret (2012);
The veins of the black mountain (2012);
Allegro (2013);
Silvia and her tricycle (2013);
Two and a half problems (2013);
Oscar's growing bike (2013);
When Santa Claus bought a truck (2013);
A sprained brain (2016)

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