Spain
during the civil war. Roberto and Maria; Pilar and Pablo, fascists and
republicans, Anselmo, Sordo, farmers, gypsies and bullfighters. Gary Cooper and
Ingrid Bergman. The earth moved. Powerful story telling, vivid imagery, a love
story. This is a long slow narrative telling the story of a lifetime that is
lived over 4 days. We feel the raw emotions and can see the grimness of war.
There is loyalty, obedience, and trust together with suspicion and treachery
amongst comrades. The language is rich, particularly the dialogue which
reflects the Spanish idiom of the area. Pilar’s descriptions are compulsive and
horrifying.
Those
of us who had read it were pleased that we had. Chris probably wishes he had
read it. Deserves to be a classic? Too expletive right!!
5 –
9(3 x 9!!)
Average
8 RJP
28/10/14
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And the Mountains Echoed
This is a series of stories that are linked both
with Afghanistan and with each other. In each story there is a strong
relationship between two characters, and throughout there is a poignant theme
of opportunities missed. This is poetic story telling. Chris loved it!
Abdullah and Pari, brother and sister, living in
poverty in the country, are parted when Pari is sold to Nila, a wealthy but
unreliable woman who is married to Suleiman who is gay. Nabi is chauffeur and
cook to Suleiman, who loves him, but this love is unrequited.. Nabi stays loyal
into old age, eventually inheriting Suleimans house. Idris and Timur are
cousins, one introspective, thoughtful and kind, the other outgoing and
superficial, but it is the outgoing one who makes the difference to Roshi’s
life. Adel is the son of a warlord and Gholam the son of a poor refugee, who
has returned to claim his land and is murdered as a result. Markus and Thalia
have a lifelong bond, and one suspects that his decision to become a plastic
surgeon is driven by her facial injuries caused by a dog attack in childhood.
Markus lives in Suleiman’s ruined house in Kabul which he rents from Nabi. Pari
eventually remembers and finds her brother Abdullah, but not until after he has
become demented. Lots of characters, some very sympathetic, in plots that
interlink.
We all enjoyed it, but Oonagh had found that it
did not stick in the memory. There was irritation because it jumped backward
and forward in time, but it was generally a "reasonable read" and
looking at the marks, we clearly all enjoyed it!
Score 8 (6 - 8) RJP 28/10/14
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