The Sensation of Unreality at the Borders

• The "sensation of unreality" described by Almudena Grandes in her fiction mirrors the contemporary experience of witnessing border violence.
• Migrants often withhold the full extent of their trauma because the reality of their journey is too extreme for others to believe.
• Border violence is not a series of isolated "migration crises," but a constant, ongoing condition.

Historical Context

• Almudena Grandes’ novel Las tres bodas de Manolita depicts the psychological toll on families visiting political prisoners during the early years of the Spanish dictatorship.
• The divided prison visiting rooms forced families to shout across bars, creating a surreal environment where acknowledging the impossible became a way to survive the cruelty.

The Reality of Borders

• Images of people at sea, abandoned clothing, and bodies washing ashore evoke a profound sense of disbelief.
• Migrants at borders, such as those in Ceuta, often censor their personal testimonies because they know the reality of the journey is too harrowing for those who haven't experienced it to comprehend.
• The violence is constant, occurring daily without causing the systemic collapse one might expect, which challenges our collective perception of what is "possible."

Implications

• The cognitive dissonance felt when witnessing these events is not merely a sign of detachment, but a moral thread connecting us to the belief that the world ought to be different.