Although Mercè Rodoreda’s The Time of Doves was a fairly easy read with its short chapters and simple narrative style, I found myself getting frustrated with a particular character. In particular, my frustration wasn’t caused by the actions of the narrator, Natalia, but instead revolves around her love interest, Quimet.
Quimet displayed a few red flags in the beginning of the novel, but as the story preceded, he only got more insufferable. To start, when he first meets Natalia, Quimet, despite knowing that Natalia had a fiancé, makes the bold claim that he’ll marry her by the end oof the year.
However, he soon goes from calling Natalia his “queen” to treating her like crap, for a lack of a better word (17). Although it starts off quite innocent, small incidents such as Quimet being unforgivingly late to a date with Natalie soon build up to fits of jealous anger. For instance, he demands Natalie to quit her job because he thinks that her boss is hitting on her and when Natalie protests, he “grabbed [her] neck and shook [her] head from side to side” (25).
That should have been a red flag for Natalie to end the relationship for good, but somehow Natalie manages to forgive Quimet and the toxicity of the relationship only grows. His jealousy fits only continued as he later falsely claims that he saw Natalie with Pere and makes her kneel and apologize to him.
The relationship doesn’t get any better when they get married with Quimet continuing to treat Natalie poorly and make up excuses for why he can’t do better. At this point when my empathy for Natalie also shifted to a bit of frustration for why she didn’t choose to end the relationship earlier. Quimet has only displayed traits that make him a walking red flag, yet Natalie seems to look past them.
Going back to when Quimet and Natalie took a three week break because of the argument regarding her boss, Natalie had showed signs of regrets for ending her previous relationship. During that time, she also compares her relationship with Quimet to the one she hade with Pere and her only complaint about Pere was that he was “too caught up in his job” (25).
So, I’m wondering why she didn’t attempt to get back with Pere? Although she may physically spend time with Quimet, he clearly doesn’t value her presence as he would “talk like [she] wasn’t there” so what made a relationship with him more attractive than one with Pere (28)?
You compare Quimet to Pere, but I wonder about Antoni, her second husband after is Quimet is killed. How is her relationship with him (and the family they form together) different from her marriage to Quimet?
I also wondered in that for a bit, even though she left Pere fairly quicly, I always worndered why she didint just leave, specially towards the end and with how the situation with Quimet kept deteriorated and even expirienced abuse from the begining of the relationship.
I mainly would attribute it to the fact that she didi not know that was how it was supposed be or simply because in those times that was easier.
I initially thought Quimet would be somewhat of a decent character. In the beginning when he first met Natalia, I had the impression that he was somewhat sweet but over time, I also noticed how annoying and insufferable he really was. What annoyed me was his constant complaints of his leg pain to get out of taking care of his children, leaving Natalia to do most of the work.
Hi Rebecca,
Your post reminded me of when Natalia runs into Pere and he comments on her looking sick from being too thin. I thought it was interesting after all that time, he cared more about her well-being than Quimet did. You mention his immediate boldness towards Natalia. I think that this is what drew her to him because it relates to her relationship with her parents. He becomes like the missing parental figure in her life by naming her, telling her what to do, treating her like an inferior. Of course, this takes over her life and identity. That being said, there wouldn’t be a book had she lived a happy, peaceful life!
I can’t tell you how much I loved the title of this blog. I read it and immediately thought “true”. I originally fell prey to Quimet’s kind actions, and his charm (which could be seen as a red flag in itself… no character that charming originally is ever that cool in the end). I have a feeling that she didn’t attempt to get back with Pere because Quimet gave her a sense of security (gross but true). I wish with all my might that she did though, because it absolutely crushed my heart when they saw each other and all he said was that he wishes her well… that GOT ME!! It really showed that he cared for her, and I strongly feel as if the roles were reversed with Pere and Quimet, Q would not have been as civil with it as Pere was. Pere for the win imo.
I completely agree with you and your thoughts in regards to Natalia and her relationship with Quimet. I think the relationship was so toxic with out her even really knowing it. I think that she was maybe not even able to realize how negative some of the things he was doing, partially due to the few things that would make her feel loved.
Hi Rebecca, I completely agree and also had the same thought as to why she would not get into a relationship with Pere instead of Quimet. I had also felt frustration towards her for still continuing to stay with Quimet regardless of how he treated her.