La Piel Fria...Spanish Idiom?

Question

Hi

I've just ordered the book La Piel Fria, La Pell Freda in Catalan, by Albert Sánchez Piñol. I ordered it in Castellano as Catalan would be a step too far at this stage.

I'm curious to know if the expression, in Spanish or more likely, Catalan, is an idiomatic phrase perhaps similar to "His hair stood on end" , that kind of thing in English.

Thanks

Answer 1

As far as I know, a similar idiom to "His hair stood on end" is precisely ´poner(le) los pelos de punta´. La piel fria is not an idiom, although it might be a literary expression for a sensation of fear (if you´ve found something leading to that in the novel´s preface or comments). However, my first impression reading the title was that it was about someone who has no feelings, ´with her skin cold as a snake´. Or even a dead person.

Answer 2

why not death? For me it is just a little and can have different meaning. It is not an idiomatic expression but certainly a nice tittle for a book.

yeah, maybe it´s Death itself! - mediterrunio, Feb 13, 2010

Answer 3

Yes, I see it's in translation as "Cold Skin". The book hasn't arrived yet so I haven't had a chance to put it context but I gather it has Gothic connotations.

By the way, what's that ACCEPT green button at the bottom of each msg about?

Should I "ACCEPT" each message...

Answer 4

Yes, I see that hence the question. It could signify a state of horror - I wonder if it's a Catalan idiom?

There's something about the phrase that makes me think it has some sort of resonance, at least for Catalans.

You're right, it could have a literary context.

Thanks for your reply