Hislop: The Return
Hislop: The Return
Beneath the majestic towers of the Alhambra, Granada’s cobbled streets resonate with music and secrets. Sonia Cameron knows nothing of the city’s shocking past; she is here to dance. But in a quiet café, a chance conversation and an intriguing collection of old photographs draw her into the extraordinary tale of Spain’s devastating civil war.
Seventy years earlier, the café is home to the close-knit Ramírez family. In 1936, an army coup led by Franco shatters the country’s fragile peace, and in the heart of Granada the family witnesses the atrocities of conflict. Divided by politics and tragedy, everyone must take a side, fighting a personal battle as Spain rips itself apart.
Check availability on the East Renfrewshire Libraries catalogue.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is easy to read and yet you will learn so much. Before reading this novel I knew virtually nothing about the Spanish Civil War even although it is a relatively recent event in the history of Europe. I got caught up in the lives of the characters and the atrocities that were carried out in their towns and villages. The most memorable passages in the book, for me, were the ones describing the flamenco dancing. The contrast between these scenes and the horror of the war were startling. I would recommend this book, in particular, to anyone who has been on holiday to Spain. This book makes you realise what huge changes have taken place there, in only 70 or so years
After having read and loved Victoria Hislop’s The Island, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. However I couldn’t have been more disappointed. The author had obviously done a lot of research on The Spanish Civil War, and these sections of the book were very interesting. However I found the plot totally contrived and the characters to be completely unbelievable. If you want to read Victoria Hislop do not read this book - but certainly do read The Island. It was wonderful - historically intersting and full of wonderful characters