Helpful Score: 5
It is with a great sense of satisfaction and pleasure that I put finger to keyboard to talk about Guernica, by Dave Boling. As much as the words may be overused, "rich and rewarding" describe this book perfectly.
It is a book to be savored and shared - but only with other people who have already read it! A large part of the beauty of this book is the way the story unfolds; and it would be cheating a prospective reader to know too much about the story, characters, plot development, etc. in advance.
So, I will content myself with what the book jacket tells us ... The bombing of Guernica (Basque country) on the eve of World War II was a devasting experiment in total warfare by the German Luftwaffe. For the Basques, it was an attack on the soul of their nation; for the world, it was an unprecedented crime against humanity. ...
There are a few more details in the book jacket writeup; but suffice to say that this is a book that is set in the Basque country of Spain and, except for providing the history of our main characters, is set during the years of 1933 - 1940. It is a love story, but don't think for a minute this is a romance.
It is a love story about the love shared by a husband and wife; the love of parents for their children; the love of people for their culture, for their town and for each other; and for their country. It is a story of unimaginable tragedy and of the strength of will to recover and, find a reason for, and enjoyment in, life once again.
Boling writes with a light and sensitive voice and never rushes us to a conclusion or plot development. Some of his sentences and paragraphs must be read aloud - even if you are the only one in the room to hear them. There are laugh out loud lines and there are clever details that delight the reader while they enhance a character's personality or a storyline.
Dialog is real as are the characters - they are people who could be sitting across the dinner table from you or someone you chat with at the post office. Character development, descriptive writing, scene development, etc. - all deftly & skillfully handled.
One of the other wonderful aspects of this book is that Boling tells the story as it is happening. A chapter may have a section about a set of characters, a story line, a chance meeting between two people who seemingly have nothing to do with what is going on. This is not a new writing technique, I know, but somehow, Boling puts a fresh spin on it when you can look back on how all the threads finally come together.
Boling unfolds this story like a tightly closed bloom that opens oh so gently into a beautiful flower. When I finished the book this morning, I told my husband (who also read & loved it), "I am *so* glad I read this book!"
I have checked Dave Boling's website and cannot find any indication that 1) he is working on another book (which he should be doing!) or 2) that the screenplay rights to this book have been bought (which is a tragedy & I hope not a permanent situation - this would make a *wonderful* movie).
A story of love and life set in 1930's Basque country - with my highest recommendation! Enjoy!
P.S. - PLEASE as you do further research into whether or not this is a book for you, avoid any review or synopsis that tells too much. The story needs to be told to you by the author - and not by anyone else.
It is a book to be savored and shared - but only with other people who have already read it! A large part of the beauty of this book is the way the story unfolds; and it would be cheating a prospective reader to know too much about the story, characters, plot development, etc. in advance.
So, I will content myself with what the book jacket tells us ... The bombing of Guernica (Basque country) on the eve of World War II was a devasting experiment in total warfare by the German Luftwaffe. For the Basques, it was an attack on the soul of their nation; for the world, it was an unprecedented crime against humanity. ...
There are a few more details in the book jacket writeup; but suffice to say that this is a book that is set in the Basque country of Spain and, except for providing the history of our main characters, is set during the years of 1933 - 1940. It is a love story, but don't think for a minute this is a romance.
It is a love story about the love shared by a husband and wife; the love of parents for their children; the love of people for their culture, for their town and for each other; and for their country. It is a story of unimaginable tragedy and of the strength of will to recover and, find a reason for, and enjoyment in, life once again.
Boling writes with a light and sensitive voice and never rushes us to a conclusion or plot development. Some of his sentences and paragraphs must be read aloud - even if you are the only one in the room to hear them. There are laugh out loud lines and there are clever details that delight the reader while they enhance a character's personality or a storyline.
Dialog is real as are the characters - they are people who could be sitting across the dinner table from you or someone you chat with at the post office. Character development, descriptive writing, scene development, etc. - all deftly & skillfully handled.
One of the other wonderful aspects of this book is that Boling tells the story as it is happening. A chapter may have a section about a set of characters, a story line, a chance meeting between two people who seemingly have nothing to do with what is going on. This is not a new writing technique, I know, but somehow, Boling puts a fresh spin on it when you can look back on how all the threads finally come together.
Boling unfolds this story like a tightly closed bloom that opens oh so gently into a beautiful flower. When I finished the book this morning, I told my husband (who also read & loved it), "I am *so* glad I read this book!"
I have checked Dave Boling's website and cannot find any indication that 1) he is working on another book (which he should be doing!) or 2) that the screenplay rights to this book have been bought (which is a tragedy & I hope not a permanent situation - this would make a *wonderful* movie).
A story of love and life set in 1930's Basque country - with my highest recommendation! Enjoy!
P.S. - PLEASE as you do further research into whether or not this is a book for you, avoid any review or synopsis that tells too much. The story needs to be told to you by the author - and not by anyone else.
I read carefully,absorbing this tale of a people in whom I have been interested for ages. It is compelling, has it's sorrows and victories, tragedy and history It will be among the classics chosen for future generations. I do recommend it to any and all who are looking for a good book to read and expect to come out with a sigh.
