poollounger

I am reading a sort of highbrow thriller called The Blind Man of Seville by Robert Wilson. Complex,gory, fascinating, with flashbacks to the Franco period, it got me scanning Wikipedia to try and make sense of pre war Spain. Robert Wilson's previous books that I came across years ago on holiday in Thailand in the hotel library, are set in Portugal. Got me wondering what others might lke to recommend with Spanish connections, and please,let's not have endless plugs for Driving over lemons and A Parrot and a pepper tree, enjoyable as they are.

silverchick

one of my faves is Derek Lamberts' Spanish lessons. I read it years ago, and bought it again in a charity shop in Jalon, read it again, only this time found with so much more interest as its all about the region we were in! Its a lovely book, unfortunately I believe he only wrote the one, I've searched on Google and Amazon and theres nothing more listed under his name.
The worst book I've read was about spending winter in Spain, I won't name the author in case they go on this site, but it was simply dreadful, more like a diary, with the miniscule detail of what they ate, and did each day, which, believe me, was very very boring!!

Mitzyboy

I read Spanish Lessons.

I believe he followed it up with
"A Practical Guide to Pond Plants" and
"The super simple guide to container garden ponds"

silverchick

I did wonder if it was the same man? not sure it is. Doesn't quite flow does it lolol

Mitzyboy

No .... seemed a bit fishy to me

rugbymatt

The Yellow River, by I.P. Freely

montgomail

Even worse than yellow snow

montgomail

Puddles on the Moon by P Miles.

montgomail

South from Granada by Gerald Brenan

Carol&John

Hola!
Just finished reading "Winter in Madrid" by C.J. Sansom. Spy Fiction, set pre and post Spanish Civil War. Interesting reading, especially when I am easily confused with terms like Falangists, Fascists, Communists, Socialists, Nationalists, Republicans, Monarchists etc.
Regards,
Carol

poollounger

Me too !! I shall try and seek out the others mentioned...

lost in spain

Ghosts of Spain, travels through a countries hidden past by Giles Tremlett is a good read. A history book that doesnt have you snoring by the end of page one. I havent finished it yet, but it is a fascinating read. the author lives in Madrid and knows his onions, if you see what I mean...

Carol&John

Jason Webster's "Andalus" - an appreciation of the Arabic influence on spanish language/culture. Also, "Duende", same author, if you like Flamenco, guitars, etc. His third book is called, I think (haven't read it yet), "Guerra" - re: spanish civil war.
Carlos Ruiz Zafon's "The Shadow of the Wind" is a beautifully written thriller, atmospheric, set in post Civil War Barcelona.
Tim Moore's "Spanish Steps", tale of his Camino de Santiago with a donkey called Shinto - very funny!
Polly Evans' "It's not about the Tapas", travels on her bicycle and meets some eccentrics, like one does.
Oh! My favourites, Bernard Cornwell's "Sharpe" series, military novels (part fact/fiction) set during the Napoleonic Wars. The most recent one, "Sharpe's Fury" is based around Cadiz (from the Guadiana to Chiclana, actually) circa 1811. (The novels are far better than the televised series of a few years ago, eventhough Sean Bean is gorgeous!)
Regards,
Carol

silverchick

Blimey you lot a very highbrow!!i feel really thick now for my choice!

jdr

Don`t worry about it, I still look at my first thousand words in Spanish book. ;-)