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I live in a very very small town in the SE of the state. I've read it once before but just checked it out again! Its been a long time since I have read his books.How about For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. It is set during the Spanish Civil War.
Where are you in AZ? I live in Peoria.
No recommendations other than Hemingway. However, I'm wondering about nonfiction books about some Spain's history this past century. Any suggestions?
Re Spain's history in the past century, try "Ghosts of Spain" by Giles Tremlett. Rather a grim read and maybe considered controversial. But the Driving Over Lemons Trilogy, mentioned by Kanga, is light and funny and can be enjoyed by everyone.
Re Spain's history in the past century, try "Ghosts of Spain" by Giles Tremlett. Rather a grim read and maybe considered controversial. But the Driving Over Lemons Trilogy, mentioned by Kanga, is light and funny and can be enjoyed by everyone.
La Colmena aka "the Beehive " by Camillo José Cela.
Everything by Manuel Vasquez Montalban but especially the detective Carvalho books.
The Frozen Heart by Almudena Grandes.
All the poetry of course by Federico Garcia Lorca!!
And this very good book by Adam Hochschild about Americans in the Spanish Civil War.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/03/books/review/spain-in-our-hearts-by-adam-hochschild.html?_r=0
I love this book.Not a novel but a beautiful account of travelling through Spain in the 1930s Laurie Lee's 'As I Walked Out One Midsummer's Morning'.
I leave Sept. 14 and will start walking from SJPP on Sept. 17.I live in a very very small town in the SE of the state. I've read it once before but just checked it out again! Its been a long time since I have read his books.
When do you leave for your Camino?
Try books by Paul Preston. He wrote a biography of Franco and also has other works about the Civil War, Juan Carlos, etc.No recommendations other than Hemingway. However, I'm wondering about nonfiction books about some Spain's history this past century. Any suggestions?
I love to read books set in places I am planning a trip to. Currently I am reading "shadow of the wind" which is set in Barcelona. (Which I am enjoying). Have any to recommend?
Don Quixote.
I read it (in English) about 25 years ago. My abiding memories are of two people wandering through Spain, with heads full of romantic dreams getting into a range of "situations'. Obviously not at all relevant to the Camino, but a good read.I was surprised at how different the original Spanish version of Don Quixote is to the English translation. The dry sarcasm about the Spanish ideal of "knighthood" seems to be missing in the English. I am about a third of the way through - you do need a good Spanish dictionary though, many of the terms used are no longer in modern Spanish usage!
Miguel de Cervantes was on board one of "Don John of Austria's" galleys at the battle of Lepanto in 1571,
Enjoy your reads
Tio Tel
I read this while walking thru the Pyrenees. Very cool.How about For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. It is set during the Spanish Civil War.
Where are you in AZ? I live in Peoria.
Another recommendation is "Guernica" by Dave Boling, a novel about what happened to one family there. Read this and also make a point of seeing Picasso's painting when you pass through Madrid.
How about For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. It is set during the Spanish Civil War.
I love to read books set in places I am planning a trip to. Currently I am reading "shadow of the wind" which is set in Barcelona. (Which I am enjoying). Have any to recommend?
Thanks so much for all the great reads, I now have quite the list to try!
Platero y Yo is now FREE for kindle. I downloaded it, thanks Donna!Tony Kevin's "Walking the Camino" is beautifully written and focuses on his Mozarabe/VDLP/Sanabres experience.
I loved the Ghosts of Spain, am also a fan of Arturo Pérez-Reverte.
If you are game to try some simple Spanish..."Platero y Yo" by Juan Ramón Jiménez.
A lot of good choices there for sure, but I would say avoid anything written by a modern pilgrim about their Camino experiences. The few I have thumbed through just seem like just so much embellished BS. I suppose though it would have to be, because let's be honest, any modern pilgrim's actual Camino journey put to paper is really rather boring from a reader's perspective. Especially if that reader has walked the Camino before.
I agree that Tony Kevin's "Walking the Camino" is a cut above the usual fare. His analysis of Spanish culture is good - he was a career diplomat and it shows.
A while ago there was a thread running about children's books for kids walking the camino. One of those mentioned was for young adults, about a medieval quest, I think with connections to Spain, can anyone remember what it was called, or who was the author?
Forgive me, but you are speaking of Quixote, right?If you are after a good read.
If you are after entertainment.
If you want a literary masterpiece.
If you want the book that was regarded as the most important novel ever, by a large survey of prominent authors.
It's gotta be the "Don".
Regards
Gerard
My summer reading list!!What a great thread. Enough to keep me busy for the next year
I read Reverte's series on Captain Alatriste. Brilliant insight into Spanish wars and living conditions for soldiers. 1600's. In a word swashbuckling.I'm not usually a fan of mystery writers, but I love the books by Arturo Perez-Reverte, including The Club Dumas. In fact, I think I'm going to download one or two of his to my Kindle for my Camino in late May. Also there are a couple of short stories about the Spanish Civil War by war correspondent (and Hemingway third wife) Martha Gellhorn. When I get home I'll check her biography and my collections of New Yorker stories for their titles.
Yes Don Quixote de La Mancha. He's the man!!Forgive me, but you are speaking of Quixote, right?
The Last Queen and A Queen's Vow are two of the historical fiction books I read prior to doing the Camino. I really enjoyed them and learning about Spanish history!I love to read books set in places I am planning a trip to. Currently I am reading "shadow of the wind" which is set in Barcelona. (Which I am enjoying). Have any to recommend?
Sorry MoniRose,Forgive me, but you are speaking of Quixote, right?
I also highly recommend The Last Jew. Noah Gordon is an amazing historical fiction writer. Also, a fantastic book called The Nightingale.....although it's mostly about France during WWII there are stunning descriptions of downed allied pilots being helped across the Pyrenees to escape the Nazis into Spain where they could be evacuated back to England. I read that part as I was crossing the Pyrenees.....blew my mind.Last year when I had a forced pause on my Camino (blisters) I read "the last Jew" by Noah Gordon. It is about the prosecution of the Jews in Spain at the end of the 15th century, places of action throughout Spain. It was a good read.
If you are after a good read.
If you are after entertainment.
If you want a literary masterpiece.
If you want the book that was regarded as the most important novel ever, by a large survey of prominent authors.
It's gotta be the "Don".
Regards
Gerard
How about "The Camino" by Shirley MacLaine. Not for everyone, but a different take on the Camino. Did anyone else like this book?
While on the CF I visited a small grocery store in a small town. Along a side wall there was a magazine and book rack with all titles in Spanish. Except there were three books in English, "The Camino" by MacLaine, "The Pilgrimage" by Paulo Coelho and "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. I was reminded of the old quiz question "pick the one that doesn't belong." Later I realized that the owner probably picked a few English titles he might be able to sell to passing pilgrims, obviously not understanding what "The Road" was about.
I won't stir things up by commenting on literary importance, but The Road the only one of those three which I enjoyed.And it is the only one out of that three to be of any literary importance ( imho ).
Perhaps not quite on your topic, a favourite read this year has been The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain by Maria Rosa Menocal. Not every critic agrees with her view, but it is such an interesting approach given current issues and our interest in the Camino.No recommendations other than Hemingway. However, I'm wondering about nonfiction books about some Spain's history this past century. Any suggestions?
Hi AZGirl,
Emilia Pardo Bazán was a prolific Galician writer who lived from the middle of the XIX century until the 1920's. Many of her works take place in Spain, her most renowned book is "Los Pazos de Ulloa", a short story called "Las Medias Rojas" gives a very clear idea of the brutal life in rural Galicia, and by contrast "Insolación" is a light and humorous book. I love this author because she was a feminist writer who fought against the prevailing sexism of her times and founded the "Women's Library", encouraging other female authors to prevail.
Another fantastic Spanish author was Benito Pérez Galdós and his most famous and controversial novel is "Doña Perfecta". In this novel the setting and the characters are symbols that represent the political unrest and drama of 19th century Spain.
I could go on and on, because there are so many excellent books about Spain that give you great insight into what Spanish life, history, traditions, culture, etc. are like. So, depending on your very own taste you have so many suggestions of great literature to pick from. Whatever you read, I hope you learn more and more about the people and the places in beautiful Spain.
Ultreïa!
Monsignor Quixote by Graham Greene. Deals with moral dilemmas, but enjoyable none the less. Some fine dscriptions of Spanish scenerey.I love to read books set in places I am planning a trip to. Currently I am reading "shadow of the wind" which is set in Barcelona. (Which I am enjoying). Have any to recommend?
Few more set in the period of Spanish civil war:
- already mentioned Soldiers of Salamis (Soldados de Salamina) by Javier Cercas,
- The Mule (La Mula) by Juan Eslava Galan,
- The Bird in Last Year's Nest by Herron Shaun,
- Man's Hope (L'Espoir) by Andre Malraux,
- The Carpenter's Pencil (O lapis do carpinteiro) by Manuel Rivas ,
- Don't Cry (Pas Pleurer) by Lydie Salvayre,
- This Light (Esa luz!) by Carlos Saura.
Yes, I know that among other facts from his life. Unfortunately I don't speak or read French but I have all of his translated works on my book shelvesThank you Kinky! I must reread Malraux! Did you know that he made it to ministre of Cultural Affairs in the French government?
ha ha ha ha ha ha.....How about "The Camino" by Shirley MacLaine. Not for everyone, but a different take on the Camino. Did anyone else like this book?
ummmm, okI'm sorry, but I must disagree with the last two posts. I really enjoy reading accounts of other people's Caminos. They take me back to my days on The Way, as I compare my experiences with theirs. The only thing I hate is prolonged discussions about religious enlightenment - but that's because I'm not religious.
Anyway, I'm in the process of writing about my four Caminos at the moment. This is because I can't set out on pilgrimage this May as I normally do. I've just had a hip replacement. OK, this might be therapy - but I won't be writing tedious rubbish!
This is the book that introduced me to the Camino. I loved it.How about "The Camino" by Shirley MacLaine. Not for everyone, but a different take on the Camino. Did anyone else like this book?
Dare I say it, Mark, you made me laugh (again).ha ha ha ha ha ha.....
I love to read books set in places I am planning a trip to. Currently I am reading "shadow of the wind" which is set in Barcelona. (Which I am enjoying). Have any to recommend?
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