Reading List in Preparation for a Trip to Spain
Mar 5th, 2012, 03:03 AM
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Reading List in Preparation for a Trip to Spain
When I'm planning a trip I try to learn as much as I can about the destination country before hand. Naturally this prep work includes a lot of reading; both fiction and non fiction.
I'm in the early planning stages (actually more in the wishfull thinking stage) of a trip to Spain focusing in the Barcelona area. I have been in Spain before but I have never put together a Reading List for this country and would love to start one.
I love historical fiction, art history, light politics, travelogues based on food and wine, etc. Anything that brings the country to life. I would greatly appreciate reading suggestions.
I'm in the early planning stages (actually more in the wishfull thinking stage) of a trip to Spain focusing in the Barcelona area. I have been in Spain before but I have never put together a Reading List for this country and would love to start one.
I love historical fiction, art history, light politics, travelogues based on food and wine, etc. Anything that brings the country to life. I would greatly appreciate reading suggestions.
Mar 5th, 2012, 04:44 AM
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Barcelona by Robert Hughes. It is a witty and intelligent look at Catalan history and of its art and architecture.
Discovering Spain: An Uncommon Guide (New, Updated Edition)
by Penelope Casas even though it has not been updated in over 15 years. She knows her Spanish cooking.
Platero Y Yo (Platero and I). Juan Ramón Jiménez won the Nobel for Literature. It is a simple story told in ornate prose. It is one of those children/adult books.
For a darker look at the Spanish soul try The Family of Pascual Duarte by Camilo Jose Cela.
Discovering Spain: An Uncommon Guide (New, Updated Edition)
by Penelope Casas even though it has not been updated in over 15 years. She knows her Spanish cooking.
Platero Y Yo (Platero and I). Juan Ramón Jiménez won the Nobel for Literature. It is a simple story told in ornate prose. It is one of those children/adult books.
For a darker look at the Spanish soul try The Family of Pascual Duarte by Camilo Jose Cela.
Mar 5th, 2012, 06:45 AM
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The Dogs of God by James Reston, Jr. http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-God-Colum...0962245&sr=1-1
Nonfiction about the Spanish Inquisition and the war against the moors. It is an excellent read and really brings that era to life.
Nonfiction about the Spanish Inquisition and the war against the moors. It is an excellent read and really brings that era to life.
Mar 5th, 2012, 07:16 AM
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The Life and Death of a Spanish Town by Elliot Paul is about the civil war in Ibiza. Hard to imagine today.
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell is also about the civil war.
Neither book is pro Franco.
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell is also about the civil war.
Neither book is pro Franco.
Mar 5th, 2012, 07:52 AM
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Thanks to all! Excellent suggestions, just what I was looking for.
Adu, I'm Puertorican and Spanish is my first language, I had to read 'Platero y Yo' sometime in grade school and remember liking it very much. I'll definitely dig it out and reread. Thanks for the memory!
Adu, I'm Puertorican and Spanish is my first language, I had to read 'Platero y Yo' sometime in grade school and remember liking it very much. I'll definitely dig it out and reread. Thanks for the memory!
Mar 5th, 2012, 09:49 AM
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Marigross
My father-in-law was born in Galicia and one of my sister-in-law was puertorriqueña (Bayamón) and neither one of them knew what the other was saying.
I respectfully disagree with the recommendation of Michener's Iberia. It makes the most exciting people and places dull. And his predictions about Spain's future were entirely inaccurate.
My father-in-law was born in Galicia and one of my sister-in-law was puertorriqueña (Bayamón) and neither one of them knew what the other was saying.
I respectfully disagree with the recommendation of Michener's Iberia. It makes the most exciting people and places dull. And his predictions about Spain's future were entirely inaccurate.
Mar 5th, 2012, 09:54 AM
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Hola Marigross, long time no see!! Coincidentally, I'm leaving for PR tomorrow to visit my family.
Want to echo Bedar's suggestion of "Iberia"
I also like "The Collected Traveler, Northern Spain", an anthology of articles/ writings about that area (but it might not include Barcelona).
PS:I also had to read Platero Y Yo when going to school in PR, can't recall what grade though. It was sweet.
Want to echo Bedar's suggestion of "Iberia"
I also like "The Collected Traveler, Northern Spain", an anthology of articles/ writings about that area (but it might not include Barcelona).
PS:I also had to read Platero Y Yo when going to school in PR, can't recall what grade though. It was sweet.
Mar 5th, 2012, 02:14 PM
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Marigross, For an excellent overview of modern Spanish history/culture and the reverberations from its bloody Civil War in the 1930s, I suggest reading THE GHOSTS OF SPAIN – Travels Through Spain and Its Silent Past by Giles Tremlett.
Not a pretty story in parts, but provides insight into the uniqueness of Spain…
Not a pretty story in parts, but provides insight into the uniqueness of Spain…
Mar 6th, 2012, 03:34 AM
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Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart
here are some old threads with more suggestions (I knew I had answered this question before)
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...p-to-spain.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-portugal.cfm
here are some old threads with more suggestions (I knew I had answered this question before)
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...p-to-spain.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-portugal.cfm
Mar 6th, 2012, 04:17 AM
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<Any historical fiction?>
Jaume Cabrés materpiece Las Voces del Pamano has strangely enough not been translated to English, but that's no problem for you. Won the Catalan critics prize in 2005 and the German translation alone has sold 450 000 copies. A dramatic family story of interwowen tales from different epochs of post Civil war Catalan history up to our days. The "Ghosts of Spain" (Tremlett, mentioned above) theme is very much present.
http://www.lecturalia.com/libro/1251...ces-del-pamano
I can also recommend Cees Nooteboom's "Roads to Santiago", which has very little to do with the actual famous pilgrimage. Some twenty-five wonderful essays about different parts of Spain (and history/culture) off the beaten track: http://www.amazon.com/Roads-Santiago.../dp/0156011581
Jaume Cabrés materpiece Las Voces del Pamano has strangely enough not been translated to English, but that's no problem for you. Won the Catalan critics prize in 2005 and the German translation alone has sold 450 000 copies. A dramatic family story of interwowen tales from different epochs of post Civil war Catalan history up to our days. The "Ghosts of Spain" (Tremlett, mentioned above) theme is very much present.
http://www.lecturalia.com/libro/1251...ces-del-pamano
I can also recommend Cees Nooteboom's "Roads to Santiago", which has very little to do with the actual famous pilgrimage. Some twenty-five wonderful essays about different parts of Spain (and history/culture) off the beaten track: http://www.amazon.com/Roads-Santiago.../dp/0156011581
Mar 6th, 2012, 07:16 AM
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Malaga Passion India by Javier Moro
This is about a Spanish girl from Malaga who is swept off her feet by an Indian Raj. This story is a TRUE story and an amazing read. One of those couldn’t put it down books. Wonderful descriptions of the Indian landscapes and regal finery she becomes accustomed to. Anita Delgado is chosen by the Rajah of Kapurthala to be his wife and moves over to India. Expat life to the extreme. Some photos are included in the centre of book so you get a real feel for the time and the setting.
Barcelona The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Set in Barcelona, after the civil war, the city is under Franco´s regime, a dramatic backdrop for the story, a carefully woven tale with intrigue, mystery and romance throughout it 544 pages. It´s a huge tome, but don´t let that put your off, from the first page you will be hooked. The gothic scenery of Barcelona´s winding shadowy streets in the story are beautifully described. Having lived for over 9 years in Barcelona I know the city well. My favourite spot in the old part of city is the Square which appears in a scene of the book, Plaza San Felip Neri. The magic of Ruiz Zafon´s novel is at any time, the reader can visit Barcelona and retrace the steps of Daniel Sampere, the main character in the story. The eloquent descriptive style brings to life the winding labyrinthine streets of the Barri Gotic of Barcelona. For Spain lovers this really is a must read!
Madrid The Seamstress by Maria Dueñas
This novel about a young women who is swept off her feet by a handsome man in her hometown Madrid, but he turns out not as wonderful as she first thought, the tale begins in Madrid but has many twists and turns leading us to Tetuan, Morocco. She ends up in Morocco alone and penniless all of a sudden, the war is raging in Madrid preventing her return. There are many interesting characters in the book providing depth and richness to the novel. As well as the trails and tribulations that the protagonist experiences personally, the political situation in Spain at the time provides a dramatic backdrop to this captivating novel. (btw the Spanish title Entre Costuras) We are taken through streets of Tangiers, Tetuan, Lisbon and Madrid with wonderful descriptions, the destroyed and desolate city of Madrid is also a feature towards the end of the book. The novel has romance, mystery and intrigue as well as historic references to some of the key characters in Spain at the time.
Granada Driving over lemons by Chris Stewart
Set in the area close to Orgiva in Granada province, we learn how the multi talented Chris Stewart turns a rundown farmhouse into his family home and how he manages to negotiate with the locals. This gives a real idea of how rural life in Andalucía really is and makes you laugh out loud in places. I really could relate to some of his anecdotes. There are two others books, Parrot in a Pepper tree and The Almond blossom Appreciation society if one isn´t enough.
Granada City of my Dreams by Lorenzo Bohme a book to take you around the lesser known streets and corners of the city of Granada. Just like being guided by a well-informed local. Illustrated with hand drawings. A fascinating read.
Granada South of Granada by Gerard Brenan written in 1957 the feel of rural Andalusia still rings true today, years on, the descriptions of the people, the landscapes hardly have changed. A wonderful read with clear prose to transport you the white villages of the Alpujarra.
Learning Spanish for Children. I bought my niece & nephew the great books from Jajaja books for Christmas, they are in english with keywords in Spanish added in. Lucy and Lucia – Play hide and seek and also Phillip and Felipe – Become best amigos! They make Spanish words begin to be familiar.
This is about a Spanish girl from Malaga who is swept off her feet by an Indian Raj. This story is a TRUE story and an amazing read. One of those couldn’t put it down books. Wonderful descriptions of the Indian landscapes and regal finery she becomes accustomed to. Anita Delgado is chosen by the Rajah of Kapurthala to be his wife and moves over to India. Expat life to the extreme. Some photos are included in the centre of book so you get a real feel for the time and the setting.
Barcelona The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Set in Barcelona, after the civil war, the city is under Franco´s regime, a dramatic backdrop for the story, a carefully woven tale with intrigue, mystery and romance throughout it 544 pages. It´s a huge tome, but don´t let that put your off, from the first page you will be hooked. The gothic scenery of Barcelona´s winding shadowy streets in the story are beautifully described. Having lived for over 9 years in Barcelona I know the city well. My favourite spot in the old part of city is the Square which appears in a scene of the book, Plaza San Felip Neri. The magic of Ruiz Zafon´s novel is at any time, the reader can visit Barcelona and retrace the steps of Daniel Sampere, the main character in the story. The eloquent descriptive style brings to life the winding labyrinthine streets of the Barri Gotic of Barcelona. For Spain lovers this really is a must read!
Madrid The Seamstress by Maria Dueñas
This novel about a young women who is swept off her feet by a handsome man in her hometown Madrid, but he turns out not as wonderful as she first thought, the tale begins in Madrid but has many twists and turns leading us to Tetuan, Morocco. She ends up in Morocco alone and penniless all of a sudden, the war is raging in Madrid preventing her return. There are many interesting characters in the book providing depth and richness to the novel. As well as the trails and tribulations that the protagonist experiences personally, the political situation in Spain at the time provides a dramatic backdrop to this captivating novel. (btw the Spanish title Entre Costuras) We are taken through streets of Tangiers, Tetuan, Lisbon and Madrid with wonderful descriptions, the destroyed and desolate city of Madrid is also a feature towards the end of the book. The novel has romance, mystery and intrigue as well as historic references to some of the key characters in Spain at the time.
Granada Driving over lemons by Chris Stewart
Set in the area close to Orgiva in Granada province, we learn how the multi talented Chris Stewart turns a rundown farmhouse into his family home and how he manages to negotiate with the locals. This gives a real idea of how rural life in Andalucía really is and makes you laugh out loud in places. I really could relate to some of his anecdotes. There are two others books, Parrot in a Pepper tree and The Almond blossom Appreciation society if one isn´t enough.
Granada City of my Dreams by Lorenzo Bohme a book to take you around the lesser known streets and corners of the city of Granada. Just like being guided by a well-informed local. Illustrated with hand drawings. A fascinating read.
Granada South of Granada by Gerard Brenan written in 1957 the feel of rural Andalusia still rings true today, years on, the descriptions of the people, the landscapes hardly have changed. A wonderful read with clear prose to transport you the white villages of the Alpujarra.
Learning Spanish for Children. I bought my niece & nephew the great books from Jajaja books for Christmas, they are in english with keywords in Spanish added in. Lucy and Lucia – Play hide and seek and also Phillip and Felipe – Become best amigos! They make Spanish words begin to be familiar.
