teachertraveler8,

I'm re-reading "The New Spaniards" and have completed the first four or five chapters. I find it amusing how the left, under Felipe Gonzales was as corrupt as our present day socialists and used the same political tactics the left uses here against the right. I'm talking about the FILESA incident and on p. 70 Aznar compared with Franco and Hitler. The more thing change, the more they stay the same.

I paraphrase, "those who don't learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."

Gazpacho

Umm. I love to read books focusing on the country I'm visiting. Will be in Spain in Mid June. Do you recommend "The New Spaniards"? or something else? I've picked up "Iberia" (Michener) and some of Perez-Reverte's Captain Alvariste (sp?). What I really like are historical fiction and was hoping "Iberia" would fit that category, but it's really a memoir and not centered in Madrid. Anything focusing in on Madrid would be very interesting.

Thanks for any tips.

Maybe read about, the uprising 2nd May 1808,today in the anniversary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dos_de_Mayo_Uprising

PJ Olander: Iberia is a great book. My Spanish professor in college had us read it and there may be a chapter on Madrid. It is quite old, though.(Franco period) The New Spaniards is pretty good. It is about how Spain has changed in the last 30 years since Franco's death. I am enjoying it, but finding it a little depressing. I love Spain and this book presents a society that is struggling with new freedoms and an emerging political system. I say "emerging" because after Franco, the various leaders have been both left and right. (However, we aren't supposed to discuss politics here) Anyway, I got the book at the library, so it is around. There are some other books mentioned on this particular thread. I have "Ghosts of Spain" ready to go when I finish the New Spaniards. Also, since I am interested in walking the Camino de Santiago one day, I have recently read three books about that. If you are interested, you can respond or send a PM.

One other book that I loved about Spain was "Spain true stories of life on the road" Edited by Lucy McCauley. I felt like these short essays captured some of the aspects I love about Spain.

Happy Reading and Buen Viaje!

P J Olander,

Perez-Reverte's "The Fencing Master" is a historical novel about Spain during the time of Isabel II. There is a good book out there, I can't remember it's name because I gave it to someone, about a recent woman author who follows the life of Miguel Cervantes and, of course, Don Quixote. There are a few posts about it.

Very good synopsis of the "The New Spaniard" teachertraveler8. Although I disagree that the emerging political system is solely due to Franco's political repression. Prior to Franco, Spain didn't have much political freedom. And I thought that "Iberia" is a great read, though I agree, outdated.

Gazpacho

Gazpacho, thanks, but what I meant was that Spain has had both a right and left wing government in the past few years, so it seems that there have been a lot of changes due to that as well as the newer freedoms following the Franco years.

I have read several of the Perez-Reverte books and they are historical fiction, so if you are looking for connections between your reading and Spain, you won't find as many there. (Although they are good books)

The Cervantes book sounds good, too.

Ah, here it is teachertraveler8. It took some searching.

This book was recommended to me by booklady.

Don Quixote's Delusions: Travels in Castilian Spain by Miranda France. A very good read.

Hmmmm. Wish I haven't given it away. Let's see if I can remember who I gave it to.

Gazpacho

teachertraveler8 Spanish steps is a light hearted book about a guy doing the santiago with a donkey .

I will add it to my list. I love humor, too! Thanks, Eskimo Joe

Thanks for all the tips. I saw a Load of Bull mentioned earlier in this thread, so I think I'll try that too....sounds pretty light and fun. I did start reading Don Quixote, but it seems silly, even after 200+ pages and with little time left between now and my visit, I think I'll put that aside.

Any other suggestions about fiction set only in Madrid, contemporary life/mysteries or something like that?

I'll look for The New Spaniards and Ghosts of Spain. Books on the Castilian or Basque areas I'll save for another trip.

thanks again!