This is the 11346th most frequent Spanish word.
esperpentos
Grotesque or absurdly distorted figures or situations.
Here, 'esperpentos' is used to denote that the books are in a dreadful or shocking state, implying a colloquial pejorative sense.
Esos libros antiguos son unos verdaderos esperpentos.
Those old books are true monstrosities.
In this context, 'esperpento' references an artistic style that emphasizes exaggerated, grotesque portrayals to critique or satirize.
La obra de teatro fue un esperpento crítico de la sociedad.
The play was a grotesque critique of society.
Here, 'esperpentos' is employed to describe objects, stressing their disorganized or deformed appearance with an informal touch.