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The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys is a book that will sweep you off your feet and open your eyes to a terrifying period of time in Spain’s history. The writing is breathtaking and the characters are compelling. Fans of historical fiction will want to add this latest Sepetys novel to their fall reading list.
Title: The Fountains of SilenceAuthor: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books
Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Rating:
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, unforgettable portrait of love, silence, and secrets amidst a Spanish dictatorship.
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 arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping 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. Daniel's photographs leave him with uncomfortable questions amidst shadows of danger. He is backed into a corner of decisions to protect those he loves. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city.
Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys 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.
Includes vintage media interstitials, oral history commentary, photos, and more.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
This novel takes place during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War and it is surprising to learn of the harsh conditions Spaniards continued to live in. Sepetys always seems to capture an often overlooked or less documented time period in her writing, and this is one that truly took me by surprise. The Fountains of Silence is a work of fiction, but it also includes snippets from newspaper articles and historical documents which really add to the horror of the novel.
❀ Gorgeous Descriptions of Spain
As the story of Ana and Daniel unfolds, the beauty of Spain and its traditions are also explored. The stunning landscapes and the city of Madrid are easy to envision through Sepetys’ gorgeous descriptions. It makes it even more difficult to read about the squalor and fear that the Spanish Republicans lived in.
❀ Thrilling Forbidden Romance
While the book is more than a love story, the connection between Daniel and Ana is so enjoyable to read about. Daniel is a charming, aspiring photojournalist from Texas who is determined to tell Spain’s story through his pictures. While Ana is a head-strong woman trying to live in a country that has stripped her of so much. When these two characters come together, it is so thrilling to watch their forbidden romance unfold.
❀ Not to be Missed
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys is a fall book not to be missed. It is an eye-opening novel with beautiful writing and wonderful characters. I look forward to finding out what the author has in store for us next.
About Ruta Sepetys
#1 New York Times Bestselling Author and Winner of the Carnegie Medal.
Ruta Sepetys was born and raised in Michigan in a family of artists, readers, and music lovers. The daughter of a refugee, Ruta is drawn to underrepresented stories of strength through struggle and hopes to give voice to those who weren't able to tell their story. Her award-winning historical novels are published in over fifty countries and have received over forty literary prizes.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
Although I haven’t yet read any of Sepetys’ novels, this one sounds too good to be missed! Setting in Spain is enough to get me excited about it!! 😍😍😍 + I have been binging on war novels these days so this one would make a great addition to the series! LOVED YOUR REVIEW!! ❤️❤️ And I am so glad that you liked it! ❤️❤️
This is definitely one to add to your TBR. Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
I’ve been looking forward to this one all year! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Great review!
Same! I hope that it is one that you enjoy, too!
I also read this ARC and it was my first, but won’t be my last, book by this author. I’m so excited to meet her this coming week.
Ooh! I would love an opportunity to meet her. Enjoy!! 🙂
I totally agree with you and I also love from Ruta that as you said she goes for less documented time period. If you loved this I recommend the Huntress by kate Quinn as she too wrote about something I had never heard of in the second war The Night Witches and it was fabulous!
I will have to check her books out! Thank you for the recommendation.
I’m more than intrigued by this book. It will be my first book by her.
I hope that you love it, too!
I haven’t read a single book by Ruta, but have head (on booktube and blogging alike) that her books are magnificent! So glad to see you enjoyed this one (love that the setting is well written). Makes me think I should make time for one of her books.
Rissi JC recently posted…‘Downton Abbey’ Movie: Make a Return to the Grand World
This one has such a wonderful setting. I hope that you do give her a try one day. 🙂
I’ve never read any of her books but I’ll check this one out! It sounds really good
I hope that you enjoy it as well!
This does sound excellent and I love to learn while enjoying some good fiction.
Laura Thomas recently posted…Sunken Treasure by Hep Aldridge ~ Spotlight and Giveaway
It is a work of perfection! 🙂
I have read several novels by this author and have loved every one of them. I look forward to this next masterpiece. Thanks for sharing.
I hope that you love this one, too!
Although I haven’t read any of the author’s books yet, I really want to <3 This sounds like absolute perfection!
Uma @Books.Bags.Burgers recently posted…Darkdawn (The Nevernight Chronicle #3) by Jay Kristoff // The end of an era + A broken heart
It is one that I had a hard time setting down. I hope that you love it if you give it a try.
This truly sounds like an amazing read. Great review!
It is fantastic! Thank you. 🙂
I haven’t read anything by this author, but I’ve heard such good things. The Spanish Civil War is not a period in history that I’ve read about, either.
Dianna recently posted…The Speed of Falling Objects by Nancy Richardson Fischer #thespeedoffallingobjects #inkyardpress #giveaway
I was really surprised to learn about these details.
I haven’t yet read any of Sepetys’ novels. It’s awesome that you enjoyed this one. Makes me wonder if I should read it too
If you love historical fiction, this is one to check out, for sure!
I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about this book so far! I’m glad you loved it! I’m yet to read the author’s salt to the sea. I hope I’ll get to it soon! Great review, though!
Raven @ Dreamy Addictions recently posted…Pestilence (Feared Fables #3) By Klarissa King [ARC Review]
I have a feeling that you will really enjoy it!
Somehow, I have yet to read a book by Ruta Sepetys. This one sounds absolutely amazing. I love it when author’s choose lesser-known eras in which to set their books.
Liz @ Bent Bookworm recently posted…Sunday Post #19 – Hello, October!
Right?! I love it when I can be exposed to things that educate and entertain me at the same time.
This does sound like a gorgeous book, and the setting is incredible!
Ahhh! It is so wonderful!
nice review format
Thank you!
This sounds like a wonderful read! I love reading books that transport me to a different time, a different land.
This is one book that will definitely do that!
This book sounds like a fantastic read.
One of my favourites!
This sounds like a great read. I really like that it is set in Spain.