Recent acquisitions

A bit of a blip of despair! I am trying to post every day, but it’s been another dismal day on the weather front. The washing had to be swiftly brought in when I noticed (too late) that it was silently raining.

Books are from the book swap (bottom one) and second hand ones I bought when we went to Montolieu for the lovely concert. Plus S’en Aller, which I bought online after hearing Sophie d’Aubreby read from it. I have quite a backlog on the TBR shelf!

I’m reading the top one, another volume in Almudena Grandes’ series on the “interminable war”. They are historical novels set in different parts of Spain during and after the civil war. This one rings bells, because it’s about guerrilla bands hiding in the hills in Andalusia in the 1940s, battling it out with the Guardia Cívil. I know it’s true to life because I’ve read a non-fiction account about guerrillas around Frigiliana, Between Two Fires It’s a grim read.

Grandes is an excellent writer. I recommend her novels if you are curious about Spain in the mid 20th century. Unfortunately this series hasn’t been translated into English. I read her in French because her dense Spanish prose is too difficult for me, especially 300+ pages of it. I can recommend The Frozen Heart, which has been translated into English and is one of my favourites.

Ingrid came round this evening for a drink and chat. She’s off back to the UK early tomorrow, a sure sign that summer is over.