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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.
Author: 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.