My son was very proud to have found this book as a present for me last Christmas. He knows I love history and adore Spain, so Guernica by David Bolin seemed to be perfect. And it was. The story is very intense.
In 1935, Miguel Navarro finds himself in conflict with the Spanish Civil Guard, so he flees the Basque fishing village of Lekeitio to make a new start in Guernica, the centre of Basque culture and tradition. In the midst of this isolated bastion of democratic values, Miguel finds more than a new life - he finds someone to live for. Miren Ansotegui is the charismatic and graceful dancer who he meets there, and the two discover a love they believe nothing can destroy ...History and fiction merge seamlessly in this beautiful novel about the resilience of family, love, and tradition in the face of hardship. The bombing of Guernica was a devastating experiment in total warfare by the German Luftwaffe in the run-up to the Second World War. For the Basques, it was an attack on the soul of their nation; for the world, it was an unprecedented crime against humanity.
Dave Boling reintroduces the event and paints his own picture of a people so strong, vibrant, and proud that they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their values, their country, and their loved ones. This is a wonderful book. The characters and events are so well described that they come to life and you feel like you are living the lives and events that unfold. Hard to put down, it takes you through happy times, into darkness, sadness and on to hope. As a first novel by David Boling it is a masterpiece, by far the best book I have read in a long time. Also, it has changed my view of Picasso’s painting forever. And I would like to go back to Madrid and see it again.
9 comments:
It is amazing - we so often read the same books!! (mine all come via my Mum back in the UK) - and I loved this book
Always on the look out for a good book... thank you!
This sounds wonderful. I love Spain and like you am a big fan of The Shadow Of The Wind. I hated The Return by Victoria Hislop due to the ending.
I didn't realise your husband was a tacher - what does he teach?
@Kathryn: Welcome back. Where is your blog gone????
@Steve: Really worth reading if you like family sagas and some very intense descriptions.
@Jane: Same here with The Return. Love The Shadow of The Wind. Read in Italian and Spanish. Simply amazing. Have you read Winter in Madrid by CJ Samson? Another excellent Spain-related book. Ciao.
Sounds like my kind of book. I love history, and that time period. What a nice, thoughtful present!
What a lovely present! :) I didn't read all the book, only a few pages while at a friend's house, but no one will ever been able to change my view of Picasso’s painting! ;) Have a nice day.
You gave it such an outstanding review I'm off to check my online library and sign up for it.
I like CJ Samson too.
Darla
I wish I could just sit down and read a good book, but I can't. I think I have ADD.LOL
Have a good week.
Guernica is an impressive work of Art capturing the tragedy of war.
I too love Spain, Spanish History and Literature ( I studied Spanish too and my final "tesi di laurea" was about Cervantes).
I guess I'd like reading this book very much. Congratulations to your son for the good choice.
Ciao, buona giornata! MG
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