Novels about Spain
May 19th, 2006, 05:23 AM
#26
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Although slightly fictionalized autobiographical books, they read like a combo of travelogue, thriller/mystery, "modern" historical novels of the '40s to the present. There is a LOT of cultural detail, and she includes observations on cultural differences as she finds them. Written by an American woman who married a Spanish aristocrat, Aline, Countess of Romanones. She was a very young woman (19-ish) from Pearl River, NY, who modelled for the high fashion house of Hattie Carnegie in Manhattan in the '40s, she was recruited in the war years to be a spy for the forerunner of the CIA, and was based in Madrid. Clearly, she falls in love with Spain. After the war, she marries and remains in Spain. Some of the books cover exploits, events places & people into the '60s/70s, maybe a bit later; I don't recall precisely. There are about 4 or 5 books, and I believe all are in paperback. They have silly names, but are a fun read if you are interested. The Spy Wore Red, The Spy Went Dancing, The Spy Wore Silk, The Well-Mannered Assassin (about terrorism & encounters with Carlos the Jackal). Easy to find on amazon. The woman really did have an amazing life. I'm not sure if she is still living....if so, she'd be in her mid-70s.
May 19th, 2006, 08:55 AM
#29
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I read in a newspaper somewhere circa 2005 that Stephen Spielberg was planning a film based upon the Aline, Countess of Romanones (born Griffith) series of memoirs. But haven't heard any more. At least as of 2005, the lady, born in 1923, was still very much alive & active.
May 30th, 2006, 09:45 PM
#32
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I agree that if you're after a mystery set in Madrid or Barcelona, then the Shadow of the Wind fits the bill perfectly. I enjoyed the story but thought the English translation was dreadful (usually I would have prefered to read it in Spanish but I was given the English version as a gift).
And of course, Don Quixote is surely the greatest (Spanish) novel of them all and is more than worth reading - just make sure you have an annotated version.
And of course, Don Quixote is surely the greatest (Spanish) novel of them all and is more than worth reading - just make sure you have an annotated version.
May 31st, 2006, 01:54 AM
#33
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Not on the same literary level as many of the other books mentioned and set in Seville are Robert Wilson's dark mysteries "The Blind Man of Seville" and "The Silent and the Damned".
May 31st, 2006, 03:09 AM
#34
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Another vote for "Homage to Catalonia" by George Orwell. Orwell, a left-wing intellectual who went to Spain to support the Republican side in the Civil War, discovered that in the case of Spain, simply being anti-fascist (i.e. anti-Franco) wasn't enough to be morally superior. The book shocked his colleagues back in the US when it came out; they were unwilling to accept the reality of Stalin's incredibly brutal despotism (Stalin backed the Republican side, even as Hitler and Mussolini backed the Federalists.)
I have often wondered if, had these colleagues been more willing to listen to Orwell, the anti-Stalin campaign in the US might have come to have been managed by more moderate, tolerant Americans, instead of the likes of Joe McCarthy. Either way, Orwell's book gave me not only a better insight into the tragedy of that war in Spain, but of the difficulties journalists face in reporting on situations where neither side can claim the high moral ground.
I have often wondered if, had these colleagues been more willing to listen to Orwell, the anti-Stalin campaign in the US might have come to have been managed by more moderate, tolerant Americans, instead of the likes of Joe McCarthy. Either way, Orwell's book gave me not only a better insight into the tragedy of that war in Spain, but of the difficulties journalists face in reporting on situations where neither side can claim the high moral ground.
May 31st, 2006, 08:05 PM
#35
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I loved Shadow of the Wind too. Just started Queen of the South (reading/read both in English)
LaClaire (or anyone else) have you read La Voz Dormida? I bought it in Madrid last year and got started on it right after we got back, but unfortunately I put it down and haven't gotten back into it. Just wondering how it compares, in terms of difficulty, to reading Shadow of the Wind in Spanish, which would be fun since I've read it in English.
LaClaire (or anyone else) have you read La Voz Dormida? I bought it in Madrid last year and got started on it right after we got back, but unfortunately I put it down and haven't gotten back into it. Just wondering how it compares, in terms of difficulty, to reading Shadow of the Wind in Spanish, which would be fun since I've read it in English.
May 31st, 2006, 08:12 PM
#36
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Molloy- Dulce Chacón is not a favorite of mine, so I let La voz dormida slip through the cracks. Chacón, though, is pretty easy to understand, though I can tell you right now, Ruíz Zafón wins as far as holding interest and using language understandably.
There is a really beautiful book, called "La sonrisa etrusca" that takes place in Milan. Anything by José Luís Sampedro is good in my book. I really like how he writes. Great character development.
There is a really beautiful book, called "La sonrisa etrusca" that takes place in Milan. Anything by José Luís Sampedro is good in my book. I really like how he writes. Great character development.
Jun 6th, 2006, 06:55 PM
#39
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There were so many enthusiastic votes for The Shadow of the Wind I thought I would top this to mention that if there are any Costco members out there, the novel and author (Carlos Ruiz Zafon) are featured in this month's member magazine. The book is now in the stores and also available on-line. There is also a featured giveaway of autographed copies of the book. I think you can link to the article at costco.com under "Costco magazine"
