Madrid, 1957. Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into the country under the welcoming guise of sunshine and wine. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of a Texas oil tycoon, who hopes to connect with the country of his mother's birth through the lens of his camera.
Photography — and fate — introduce him to Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War — as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city. Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys, author of Between Shades of Gray, once again shines light into one of history's darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence inspired by the true post-war struggles of Spain.
"Sepetys skillfully conveys Spain’s atmosphere under Franco — who limited women’s rights and squelched rebellion — with a pervasive feeling of fear and economic oppression. Compelling primary source materials, such as memos from U.S. presidents, oral history excerpts, and even hotel brochures, precede some chapters and contextualize the narrative. This gripping, often haunting historical novel offers a memorable portrait of fascist Spain." — Publishers Weekly
Recommended Age | 14 and up |
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Author | Ruta Sepetys |
ISBN | 0399160310 |
Publication Date | Oct 1, 2019 |
Publisher | Philomel Books |
Language | English |