"A rich, mesmerising tale of love, betrayal, death and corruption set in Franco’s post war Spain"
Carnegie winner Ruta Sepetys seems to specialise in illuminating forgotten or unknown aspects of history. The Spanish Civil War may be widely known but Spain lived under Franco until 1975. Rather like post-Apartheid South Africa there was a reconciliation movement that did not pursue retribution for the human rights abuses and crimes of the dictatorship.
But this outstanding, impeccably researched novel seeks to shine a light on those crimes. In a fascinating afterword she tells us that studies estimate over 300,000 babies were stolen from their Republican parents. This is indeed a story to shock and horrify but its power comes from the characters and the very human stories she tells.
We get different perspectives from different viewpoints and voices, but very cleverly our main guide is an outsider looking in just as the reader does. Daniel is an American boy visiting Spain as his father negotiates a lucrative deal. America’s complicit dealings with the Franco regime are also under the spotlight here.
Daniel aspires to be a photojournalist and he naively wants to find the real Spain. He finds fear and suspicion, makes friends and falls in love but tragedy strikes, and he must leave. The full sinister picture is only revealed many years later. This is a book which absolutely demonstrates the power of a story to reveal truth and to develop real understanding and empathy. Perfectly pitched, evocative and utterly enthralling.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, extraordinary novel of love, silence, and secrets under a dictatorship in 1950s Spain.
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the best books for 9-12 year olds · the best books for teenagers
Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain under the welcoming promise of sunshine and wine.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Fountains of Silence and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-14 years old
The Fountains of Silence features in the following genres: Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Gritty Reads, Historical Fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Politics, Law, Philosophy & Ethics, Work / Industry, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Paperback, Hardback. Not Available.
The Fountains of Silence was written by Ruta Sepetys and published by Philomel Books an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group
The Fountains of Silence has 528 pages
