The Return A novel by Victoria Hislop

I had to share this with you guys.If you are even slightly interested in the history of the area we live in,and you enjoy a good book,you need to read the above.I'm sure some of you have read it already,if you have a copy lend it to a friend,the copy that I have is borrowed and,sadly,must go back.
If you only read one book this year make it this one.Oh yes,fellas just because it is written by a female don't think you wont like it.

I read it a couple of years ago and loved it and it made me want to know more about Spanish history, particularly the Civil War of which I am shamefully ignorant. Her other book is worth a read too - it's set in Crete and the leper colony on the island of Spinalonga. x

I loved both too.

The first book that Sally speaks about is called The Island - it is well worth a read. Some very close friends of ours live in the beautiful village of Plaka, Crete where it is set.

And then, as Ian says, her 2nd novel, The Return, is about Granada and the surrounding area... It taught me a lot about the Civil War, and inspired me to find out more.

Victoria Hislop is a travel writer for leading publications: she puts a huge amount of research into her novels, which makes for a really interesting read especially when the subject has some relevance to you.

Oooo- I might have to re-read both now...

Oh, and a note aside, she is the wife of Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye and team captain on Have I Got News for You.

Cave Bunny wrote:Oh, and a note aside, she is the wife of Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye and team captain on Have I Got News for You.

We all have our crosses to bear...

I think Ian Hislop's terrific!

Cave Bunny, I spent a few weeks in Plaka over 30 years ago. A magical place, but there was absolutely no tourism there then - no plumbing, even!

Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell is also good on the Civil War, as is As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee. Two very different writing styles - and different again from Victoria Hislop.

I quite like Ian too, but I think I'd get a little tired of his dry wit after a while. It would take a special kind of lady to put up with him I think.

Plaka is still beautiful and I didn't think it very touristy at all thankfully. The plumbing is still to be connected in places - my friends didn't have water or electricity for quite some time...a lot like us actually

They are still waiting for internet connection and telephone after 5 years though.

I too have read both of these books and enjoyed them very much.

I am Currently reading an excellent book set in Barcelona, it's called 'The Shadow of the Wind and is written by a Spanish author, Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
Well worth the read!

A great book! One of my recent favourites.

Cathedral Of the Sea,also set in Barcelona,well a read.