Guernica: A Novel by David Boling

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.

Bonus Time

Bonus time: free entry to National Trust properties on 20 and 21 March

The National Trust is giving everyone in the country a bonus this spring by opening their doors for free on the weekend of 20-21 March 2010.

Find out more and download your voucher here:http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-events/w-events-free-day.htm

It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some of the most beautiful areas and historical properties across England, Wales and Northern Ireland (excluding Scotland as they have their own Nation Trust for Scotland) and if you are not a member yet, to explore the possibilities of joining the Trust or simply having a great time for free.
You are never very far from a NT place, so visit their website, download the voucher and have a nice weekend!

For the very few people who don't know the National Trust yet and for the friends abroad, the Trust is charitable organization that owns two hundred historic houses that are open to the public. The majority of them are country houses and most of the others are associated with famous individuals. The majority of these country houses contain collections of pictures, furniture, books, metalwork, ceramics and textiles that have remained in their historic context. Most of the houses also have important gardens attached to them, and the Trust also owns some important gardens not attached to a house. The properties include some of the most famous stately homes in the country and some of the key gardens in the history of British gardening.

PS. My latest NT discovery is Antony - a National Trust property in Cornwall that was used as the main location for Tim Burton's film - Alice in Wonderland (link: National Trust Antony Alice in Wonderland)

(Photos courtesy of The National Trust website)

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teasers this week are:

"Elizabeth sat still in her high seat, breathing deeply, trying to master her pounding heart. Attainder, she knew, was the preamble to execution."

(Page 290, "The Lady Elizabeth' by Alison Weir)

The Forgotten

My kids forgot that yesterday was Mother’s Day (and my husband too!). So I didn’t get any card, any breakfast in bed, anything at all! My son was immersed in his GCSEss revision and my daughter was so worried about her important cup football match that thought it was next week. Anyway, at lunchtime I was feeling very low. It’s not the present that counts, I know, but I didn’t even have that, the “thought”. Something must have clicked in my daughter’s mind as she hid a little box under my plate with a small rushed “happy mother’s day” note. She found an old bracelet of mine somewhere around the house and an even older gift box, packed all together and improvised a little present. I felt better realizing that at least she was trying to cheer me up. Unfortunately a couple of hours later I found out that the little rascal conned £5 out of her own brother for sharing the cost of “mummy’s present”. O my sweet little “angel”!!!!!

A Real Bargain!

As you know, I rarely talk about clothes and accessories here. This doesn’t mean that I’m not interested in clothes. I am, and a lot, like most women. I read a few “clothing-related blogs regularly and I thoroughly enjoy them. Imogen of Inside Out Style is my style guru, Jane of The Small Fabric Of My Life is my inspiration, Sharon-Rose of Sharon Rose-Style, Thrifting, Fashion and Me always surprises me with her wonderful finds and Sher of Fashion After Forty, well she’s an American beauty, and I really like how she combines her items together to create her own lovely style.
But I don’t think I can write about clothes and/or fashion myself. I’m not an expert and I don’t have the time to think about them too much. I usually rely on friends or other people suggesting one or another item of clothing that could be useful or just nice and some bargains on sale at the moment. That’s why I’m especially proud to show my OWN fantastic finds (and in my size!).

Burberry, real leather (inside and outside and made in Italy!) shoes that I’ve just bought for the unbelievable price of £9.50, reduced from the original price of £250. And they are new, unworn and bought straight from the Burberry Outlet here in my town! Actually the label said £19 but when I went to the till they had been further reduced by half. I couldn’t believe it! The price of a cinema ticket, two Happy Meals, an M&S meal for two…
Unfortunately the store is closing down forever. So, no more of these bargains for the foreseeable future. Farewell, Adieu, Addio, Burberry!


PS. Unfortunately this post wasn’t sponsored by Burberry at all, but if they wish to sponsor me I’d be happy to oblige!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My teasers today:

...And who thought it was a good idea to rent bicycles to Italian adolescent language students? If hell did exist, it would be governed by a committee of fifteen-year-old Italian boys on bikes....

[ from page 161 - "Case Histories" by Kate Atkinson]

All the elements are in this book: humor, pathos, suspense, tragedy, emotion, irony and a small touch of paranormal. Kate Atkison at her best! Not to be missed.

Loss

Earth to Earth

Ashes to Ashes

Dust to Dust

And so I've lost another dear friend to cancer. Feelings of sadness, loss, anger and even guilt. Guilt because I will miss her although I know that now her suffering is over. Feelings of betrayal and anger because this time I really thought she would manage to win the fight.

And because I've never felt so attached to life as today.