The Carpenter's Pencil: A Novel of the Spanish Civil War

Rating:
Summary: Requires A Bit Of Patience
Review: "The Carpenter's Pencil", is a wonderful short novel. There are times it becomes a bit confusing to track who or what is relating the story. However the small amount of time invested to sort out the voices is more than well rewarded. The book also contained something I had not seen before. There were two poems referenced in the book, and they were included in their entirety in appendices. One is from the 19th and the other the 13th Century. It was a pleasant change to be able to read the entire poems rather than be limited to excerpts in the main text.

There are about 8-10 different players that appear. The number arrived at depends on how much you feel a character must contribute, and how they make that contribution. Must a person be present in the flesh, or can they continue to influence events after death? The book begins in a contemporary setting and then quickly returns to the story of the man a reporter has come to interview. This is when the book really shines with a love story and an unlikely cast that make the union of the two lovers possible.

The primary tale of memory takes place just before, through, and finally after Franco's rule over Spain has ended. This end allows for some who were forced to flee to return home, a home that they fought for and were punished by. The brief work is really very good, for while it is brief it conveys a story that feels almost epic in its tightly written and intricate prose.

A bit of effort to be sure you have the voices sorted out, and you will enjoy a wonderful novella.

Rating:
Summary: Galician pride
Review: There are as many Galicians abroad as in Spain. So now that we see one of our writers translated directly from our language into English, our pride gets a special boost. With Rivas, our literature has found its own boom. He gives a new insight to our culture, our language, and our traditions. Thanks, Jonathan Dunne, for a job well done! Graciñas, Manuel, for helping us in learning about ourselves!