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Books
We have not had a thread on books for a long time and as we have had a great many new members in the past few years I thought that it would be a good idea to put one on.
So what books have you read that are either about Spain or are novels set in the various areas of Spain? Rosemary |
Re: Books
Not about Spain, but I like James Patterson novels - Alex Cross, Run
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C.S. Forester's "The Gun".
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Re: Books
Originally Posted by Expatrick
(Post 12500976)
C.S. Forester's "The Gun".
Rosemary |
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Originally Posted by Rosemary
(Post 12500985)
I have not read that one. Please could you elaborate on why you have recommended it.
Rosemary Actually I recall it was rather good but then I was a Forester fan as a teenager. Set in the Peninsular war I thought it was a rather good, albeit fictitious, portrayal of the period - if you are interested in history, in which case I would recommend it.. |
Re: Books
Originally Posted by Expatrick
(Post 12500989)
Pedant mode on (to be taken with a pinch of salt!)"I didn't recommend it, you just asked what we had read!" Pedant mode off!
Actually I recall it was rather good but then I was a Forester fan as a teenager. Set in the Peninsular war I thought it was a rather good, albeit fictitious, portrayal of the period - if you are interested in history, in which case I would recommend it.. Rosemary |
Re: Books
I have quite a lot of books on Spain, and although they are not novels, nevertheless some people might be interested, for what it's worth. The following is a list of some of my favourites. Anyone interested could look them up on Amazon to see what they are about.
Contemporary history Spain, what everyone needs to know ...................William Chislett Franco's crypt............................................. ............Jeremy Treglown Ghosts of Spain............................................. .........Giles Tremlett Travel A Pilgrim in Spain............................................. .....Christopher Howse Spanish History pre 1900 The myth of the Andalusian Paradise....................Dario Fernandez Morera Isabella of Castille.......................................... ........Giles Tremlett History of Spanish Architecture..............................Bernard Bevan |
Re: Books
Originally Posted by Retired in Euskadi
(Post 12501009)
I have quite a lot of books on Spain, and although they are not novels, nevertheless some people might be interested, for what it's worth. The following is a list of some of my favourites. Anyone interested could look them up on Amazon to see what they are about.
Contemporary history Spain, what everyone needs to know ...................William Chislett Franco's crypt............................................. ............Jeremy Treglown Ghosts of Spain............................................. .........Giles Tremlett Travel A Pilgrim in Spain............................................. .....Christopher Howse Spanish History pre 1900 The myth of the Andalusian Paradise....................Dario Fernandez Morera Isabella of Castille.......................................... ........Giles Tremlett History of Spanish Architecture..............................Bernard Bevan Rosemary |
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This made me look out a book given to me many years ago by a British ex-pat. cookery teacher.It's called"cooking in Spain" by Janet Searl.There's lots of very good info.apart from recipes about types of fish,herbs & spices ,wines & meat cuts etc.& their translations.Sad to say I haven't used it much for a good while as it is so easy to eat out with friends if you now are only catering for yourself.
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I wonder if she is married to David Searl who wrote “You and the Law in Spain†in English? |
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Winter in Madrid by C. J. Sansom. The setting is just after the Spanish Civil War in 1940. A spy thriller.
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Originally Posted by dougal03
(Post 12501038)
.... if you now are only catering for yourself.
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Originally Posted by Bridie55
(Post 12501134)
Winter in Madrid by C. J. Sansom. The setting is just after the Spanish Civil War in 1940. A spy thriller.
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Re: Books
Originally Posted by dougal03
(Post 12501038)
This made me look out a book given to me many years ago by a British ex-pat. cookery teacher.It's called"cooking in Spain" by Janet Searl.There's lots of very good info.apart from recipes about types of fish,herbs & spices ,wines & meat cuts etc.& their translations.Sad to say I haven't used it much for a good while as it is so easy to eat out with friends if you now are only catering for yourself.
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Re: Books
Originally Posted by Bridie55
(Post 12501134)
Winter in Madrid by C. J. Sansom. The setting is just after the Spanish Civil War in 1940. A spy thriller.
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Originally Posted by Retired in Euskadi
(Post 12501202)
Soldiers of Salamis by Javier Cercas is also worth dipping into.
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Rick Steins "Spain" is an excellent travelogue/cookbook
Iberia by James Michener I remember being very moved when I read "Hermanos!" by William Herrick many years ago. |
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Gerald Brenan:
The Spanish Labyrinth South from Granada The Face of Spain VS Pritchett: The Spanish Temper Marching Spain George Orwell: Homage to Catalonia Laurie Lee: As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning A Rose for Winter A Moment of War Giles Tremlett: Ghosts of Spain Jason Webster: Guerra Duende Andalus Sacred Sierra Michael Jacobs: Between Hopes and Memories The Factory of Light |
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Thanks for the impressive list spainrico. Makes me realise how many books I have read that are about or set in Spain but has also given me the inspiration to read more.
Rosemary |
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El corazon de la tierra/The Heart Of The Earthby https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&text=Juan+Cobos+Wilkins&search-alias=books-uk&field-author=Juan+Cobos+Wilkins&sort=relevancerank (Author)Book and film about the mines at Rio Tinto and what happened when there was a strike. Based on fact , and may be uncomfortable reading for Brits! |
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Whatever your views on Bullfighting, this classic is worth reading. Death in the Afternoon by Hemingway.
For a readable history of the Spanish Civil War. Try Paul Prestons -The Spanish Civil War Reaction, Revolution and Revenge And by the same author Juan Carlos: A People's King. |
Re: Books
Originally Posted by Retired in Euskadi
(Post 12501009)
I have quite a lot of books on Spain, and although they are not novels, nevertheless some people might be interested, for what it's worth. The following is a list of some of my favourites. Anyone interested could look them up on Amazon to see what they are about.
Contemporary history Spain, what everyone needs to know ...................William Chislett Franco's crypt............................................. ............Jeremy Treglown Ghosts of Spain............................................. .........Giles Tremlett Travel A Pilgrim in Spain............................................. .....Christopher Howse Spanish History pre 1900 The myth of the Andalusian Paradise....................Dario Fernandez Morera Isabella of Castille.......................................... ........Giles Tremlett History of Spanish Architecture..............................Bernard Bevan |
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Just finished - The Survivor Felipe Alberto Gomez with Ken Scott. A true account of Alberto's (from Elda, Alicante) life during the Spanish Civil War - amazing!
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Re: Books
Originally Posted by Rosemary
(Post 12500960)
We have not had a thread on books for a long time and as we have had a great many new members in the past few years I thought that it would be a good idea to put one on.
So what books have you read that are either about Spain or are novels set in the various areas of Spain? Rosemary |
Re: Books
Spain & Portugal two wonderful and amazing countries. Where else could you set such intriguing and spectacular storylines?
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Originally Posted by Yorkshire Princess
(Post 12502039)
No 'Don Quixote' ?
There's a modern commentary by Miranda France called Don Quixote's Delusions. More up my street. |
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Originally Posted by Retired in Euskadi
(Post 12502070)
I've never managed to get into it; tried once and got to page 50, bored! It's such a thick book, which also puts me off. Such a Philistine!
There's a modern commentary by Miranda France called Don Quixote's Delusions. More up my street. |
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Originally Posted by sidgold
(Post 12502053)
Spain & Portugal two wonderful and amazing countries. Where else could you set such intriguing and spectacular storylines?
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Hello Yorkshire Princess, Yes indeed... in fact the whole of the Iberian Peninsula offers an endless number of wonderful locations in which to set a great novel..... mystery... suspense and intrigue. What more could anyone want?
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I was going to say Jason Webster - spainrico mentioned some of his (I think) non-fiction; he also has written a series of detective novels set in Valencia (my part of Spain). There's some good detail on modern Spain and in particular its police forces. I've not read them myself but my wife's read most of them and enjoyed them.
And I enjoyed "The Winemaker" by Noah Gordon. Not exactly fast paced, but I managed to lose myself in it. |
Re: Books
Originally Posted by todonnell
(Post 12503672)
I was going to say Jason Webster - spainrico mentioned some of his (I think) non-fiction; he also has written a series of detective novels set in Valencia (my part of Spain). There's some good detail on modern Spain and in particular its police forces. I've not read them myself but my wife's read most of them and enjoyed them.
And I enjoyed "The Winemaker" by Noah Gordon. Not exactly fast paced, but I managed to lose myself in it. Rosemary |
Re: Books
I preferred Webster's non-fiction books, but each to their own.
If you are interested in the British involvement in transporting Franco from the Canary Islands (where he had been stationed 'out of the way') to Morocco from where he helped start the Spanish Civil War - Spain: The Vital Years Luis Bolin. |
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I'd second the recommendation of Jason Webster's detective novels. I found them very atmospheric and gripping. And living in the Valencia region, it's fun when he uses real locations and hotels and restaurants in his books. We've ended up in a few bars and bodegas he has used in Valencia city. But his non-fiction books are also highly recommended.
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Re: Books
Originally Posted by Kenwoodlad
(Post 12504138)
I'd second the recommendation of Jason Webster's detective novels. I found them very atmospheric and gripping. And living in the Valencia region, it's fun when he uses real locations and hotels and restaurants in his books. We've ended up in a few bars and bodegas he has used in Valencia city. But his non-fiction books are also highly recommended.
Rosemary |
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Spain by Jan Morris is a superb travel book set in the 70's and 80's. I love her writing and it's not full of endless pages about churches. I loathed Iberia by James Mitchener. I've tried Don Quixote maybe four times but can't appreciate it. I wish Bill Bryson had written a book about Spain.
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Here are a couple of other books that haven't been mentioned yet (I think)
Christopher Howse :- The Train In Spain Paul Richardson :- A Late Dinner |
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Originally Posted by Bad Leg
(Post 12504939)
Spain by Jan Morris is a superb travel book set in the 70's and 80's. I love her writing and it's not full of endless pages about churches. I loathed Iberia by James Mitchener. I've tried Don Quixote maybe four times but can't appreciate it. I wish Bill Bryson had written a book about Spain.
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Re: Books
Originally Posted by mfh
(Post 12504957)
Here are a couple of other books that haven't been mentioned yet (I think)
Christopher Howse :- The Train In Spain Paul Richardson :- A Late Dinner Back Roads to Southern Spain by David Baird....25 car trips around Andalusia Back Roads Spain by Dorling Kindersley......excellent addition to know the "off the beaten track" places. Walking through Spain by Robin Neillands (ex marine, deceased) ..... walked from Santander to Tarifa The companion guide to Madrid and Central Spain by Alastair Boyd......a travelogue by a knowledgeable ex diplomat A guide to Andalusia by the late Michael Jacobs.....knowledgeable and down to earth commentary Romanesque churches of Spain by Peter Strafford.....for those interested in old churches! and last but not least, the detailed guide produced in the 1850's but perhaps not even rivalled by Lonely Planet is Richard Ford's "Handbook for Spain" for book lovers/collectors. Most if not all can be found pretty cheaply on Amazon, even though it's more fun to find a copy (as well as supporting them) in a 2nd hand bookshop. |
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I thought that my book shelves were well stocked with books about Spain or based in Spain but your lists are proving me wrong. There are so many informative posts on this thread and I am sure that many new members who are researching living here will appreciate all of your recommendations.
So thank you all for taking part and please do continue, I am loving it. Rosemary |
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Here is another I completely forgot about...
Harry Ritchie :- Here we Go (A summer on the Costa del Sol) It's really funny and gives a good portrayal of Spain in the early 90's |
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