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Liked It “Good read. History based novel of 1940 Spain. Well written, goes fast and gives a good insight into the hardships of life and the twisted political plots in Spain post civil war and pre WWII. The history is good, the story is good, I liked the book.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Wasn't in the right mood, I guess. But this book was too depressing for me.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Wasn't in the right mood, I guess. But this book was too depressing for me.”
Cathy E wrote this review Thursday, July 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“You hardly ever read about”
Jo D wrote this review Sunday, July 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Like a sebastian faulks book with touches of hemmingway depicting the spanish civil war and after, tying in a love story and thriller of people trying to reclaim what they almost lost. ”
Cullum A wrote this review Monday, April 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A bit tedious but still worth reading. Not as entertaining as the other Sansom books.”
theReader wrote this review Wednesday, March 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Good read. History based novel of 1940 Spain. Well written, goes fast and gives a good insight into the hardships of life and the twisted political plots in Spain post civil war and pre WWII. The history is good, the story is good, I liked the book. ”
Jennie wrote this review Saturday, March 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ It was September 1940. A time when people could breathe again. The Spanish Civil War had ended. Leaving behind lost loved ones, strangers, and survivors are left to pick up the pieces in Madrid.
Cheryl wrote this review Wednesday, February 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Harry Brett is a spy for the British Secret Service. After slowly recovering from a traumatic experience, he is sent to Madrid, Spain to seek out Sandy Forsyth. Sandy is a long time friend of Harry’s. He is also happens to be dealing in some shady business. Harry is charged with learning what he can about Sandy and the business he is dealing in. It seems though that Sandy isn’t the only one with something to hide. Sandy’s girlfriend and Ex-Red Cross nurse, Barbara Clare has a top secret mission of her own. To locate her old lover who disappeared on the battlegrounds of Jarama.
I enjoyed Harry, Sandy and Barbara. They had some good dimension and depth to them; they were not just one dimension. Winter in Madrid is like a beautiful tragic, love story filled with intrigue in the lovely location of Spain. C.J. Sansom transported me back in time. It was like I was walking the streets of Madrid. The only concern I had with this book was that it did move somewhat slowly for me. Also I do have to admit that I put it down a few times. This is one of those books you have to be in the mood to read. Let me tell you though that once you do pick this novel up, I think you will be drawn into the story. Mr. Sansom offers up some talent with Winter in Madrid.
”“Great story and lots of interesting historical context - Spanish civil war.”
Alex wrote this review Tuesday, January 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I really enjoyed this book about espionage and diplomacy set in Spain during the Civil War. I didn't know anything much about the politics of the time, so it was an eye-opener. All the parties and factions fighting each other in Spain, not to mention international foes and allies floored me by their sheer numbers, so part of the fun of reading this lay in working out what was going on that level. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble, because the author had done a whole section at the back on History which I didn't realise was there.
Giles C wrote this review Thursday, October 30 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The sotry is about several connected British expats who end up in Spain, each of them living a double life. There are evil generals, scheming ambassadors and creepy spies galore. There are also details, apparently from first hand accounts, about the destruction wrought by Franco and the Catholic Church on Spain at the time, the horror of internment camps and the 20th century Inquisition to which other nations turned a blind eye in the interest of fighting Communism. Nothing changes, does it?
My only gripe about this book is that it was too long. The same details were repeated over and over again in new situations, which I found tiresome, but otherwise it was a good read base don fact. Here are three links to coincidentally recent articles about the period to put it all in context. Synchronicity, or what?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4944902.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5003411.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5010322.ece ”“I read this book on holiday because I'd run out of stuff to read but was very glad I did.
Simon D wrote this review Friday, July 4 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Really draws you in and gave me a good insight into what was going on in Spain post war which I had not known about before. The story line is quite engaging as well and doesn't get too silly like some spy/thriller books do.
Well worth a read”
