Tag: Spain

Fiction, Horror, Novella, Translation

Such Small Hands by Andrés Barba, tr. Lisa Dillman – a #BTBA2018 flashlight

***This Review Contains Spoilers*** I’m surprised more people haven’t made the Lord of the Flies comparisons between William Golding’s classic book and Andrés Barba’s Such Small Hands. Perhaps it’s a little too obvious? And yet, Barba explores the power dynamics of female relationships using girls in the same way Golding did with young boys – with equally horrifying results. A 7-year old girl arrives at an … Continue reading Such Small Hands by Andrés Barba, tr. Lisa Dillman – a #BTBA2018 flashlight

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Advance Review Copy, Fiction, Short Story, Translation

The Bosnian War – In Short Stories & A Computer Game

This week’s review can be found over at The Rumpus. Soundcheck: Tales from the Balkan Conflict is a book of short stories by Galician author & journalist Miguel-Anxo Murado, translated by Carys Evans-Corrales.  This War of Mine is a computer survival game based on the Siege of Sarajevo. Each compliments the other – forcing readers (and players) to re-evaluate the way we think about war.  Arguably in … Continue reading The Bosnian War – In Short Stories & A Computer Game

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Fiction, Film, History, Translation

Cría Cuervos (1976) – film directed by Carlos Saura *BEWARE! some spoilers!*

The first group scheduled event for Spanish Language Lit Month is to post on the film Cría Cuervos*.  This is an off-kilter and beautiful film starring an adolescent Ana Torrent.  The title translates as Raise Ravens, which refers to a Spanish proverb – “Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos.” (Raise ravens, and they’ll pluck out your eyes).  Set in Madrid, during the final days … Continue reading Cría Cuervos (1976) – film directed by Carlos Saura *BEWARE! some spoilers!*

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Audio, Fiction, History, Mystery, Review Copy

Death of a Nationalist by Rebecca Pawel (narrated by Elizabeth Klett)

My most recent audiobook download from Iambik.com is Rebecca Pawel’s novel Death of a Nationalist.  Set in 1939, in the early days of Franco’s Spain, it’s a murder mystery that doesn’t shy away from the complexities of history. …The Spanish Civil War, often  considered a practice run for WWII, has only recently ended.  The short-lived Republic is no more.  The Nationalists, backed by Nazi Germany … Continue reading Death of a Nationalist by Rebecca Pawel (narrated by Elizabeth Klett)

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Fiction, Mystery, Translation

The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte

I’ve been searching for a good literary mystery.  That rules out at least 75% of the books in the Mystery section which is stuffed with thrillers, true crime, and bad things happening to small children.  I’ve been looking for a mystery that is…well… clever.  And maybe old fashioned.  Maybe something along the lines of the Da Vinci Code – if it had been better written … Continue reading The Flanders Panel by Arturo Perez-Reverte

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