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Liked It “I enjoyed this book a lot but I was dissapointed in the ending which I had guessed about half way through the book. Having read Guernica I am now keen to read more about the horrors of the Spanish Civil War.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Good retell of a forgotten massacre”
Felicia G wrote this review Thursday, November 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Started out really good but got bogged down in family tragedy.”
Carol M wrote this review Monday, October 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Deeply moving and made me aware of a period of history that I know nothing about and of what it means to be caught up in the tide of events.”
Jenty A wrote this review Thursday, October 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“fine first novel, well-defined family (but a tad too mawkish in their perfect happiness) suffers German bombing infamously depicted by Picasso's masterpiece ”
Jenny A wrote this review Thursday, October 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I enjoyed this book a lot but I was dissapointed in the ending which I had guessed about half way through the book. Having read Guernica I am now keen to read more about the horrors of the Spanish Civil War.”
Lynda B wrote this review Tuesday, June 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Sentimental novel about basque patriots living in Guernica throughout the first half of the twentieth century. The book also includes a thread about Picasso and his famous mural.”
JennyIL wrote this review Tuesday, June 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A good page turner which reflects the Basque people and the events leading to Guernica. The storyteller successfully weaves Picasso and his muses into the story. Equally the inspiration that Guernica provides for Picasso's mural. I would recommend this as a good read. ”
Mary G wrote this review Saturday, May 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Promising piece of work from a debut novel.
Regina L wrote this review Tuesday, January 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
As a child the school I attended had a comprehensive art history curriculum and Guernica always haunted me. Therefore, I was excited at the prospect of a historical fiction work set in this time period.
However, if you read this, you need to be aware that historical aspects of the conflict won't emerge until about 1/2 way through the book. The first part of the book has some allusioin to Basque history and there are some intersting cultural insights. This is a disappointment because theirs is a rich history. Further, you will not get any insight into the politics of the time.
The story is a good read though. The plot centers around three generations of natives from Guernica. You experience coming of age stories, love, marriage, children, and loss as the story develops. Then of course, we get a glimpse into what it may have been like to be in Guernica as it was bombed. While Boling does a good job of stringing together the circumstances leading to the resolution, it does seem a bit Polyanna.
The book is divided in to four parts with each chapter including transitions from various chapters. This makes it a quick read but sometimes seems to hurt character development.
I know it sounds like this was pretty critical, but I would recommend the book and think that Boling has a promising future. ”“A very decent historical novel, recommended to readers already interested in the subject, Guernica is a good introduction to Basque's life in the first half of the 20th century. The chapter of the bombing of this historical town was the one I thought best written. The graphic and goride details revealed the author as the journalist that he is. I have been privileged to admire Picasso's masterpiece on two different museums and now with better background I could get the full dimension of this shocking painting.”
Gloria Stokol wrote this review Friday, January 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“When I started reading Guernica by Dave Boling, I didn’t know much about the Basques. I knew where the Basques were located, I knew a wee little bit about Basque fishermen and had heard of Basque sheepherders, but for the most part, I was completely ignorant. Guernica is such an extraordinary novel. This book is part love story, part wartime novel with political intrigue and history brought to life.
Kelly N wrote this review Tuesday, November 25 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I was confused, when occasionally the author would seemingly arbitrarily insert a paragraph or two about Picasso, or von Richthofen also known as The Red Baron. Since I really didn’t know what the book was about, I read on, only slightly distracted by these odd lapses. I came to love the people of Guernica, their heart, their joy, their people. I was angered by the suppression they suffered under Franco’s totalitarian control. Then, the occasional mention of von Richthofen became understandable, as did Picasso’s. The attack on Guernica was heartbreaking to read about. The author did such a superb job of bringing these people to life, that it was like losing friends.
I found myself wondering why my history teachers had never mentioned this atrocity. I headed off to my computer and googled like a mad woman. I’ve never before understood any of Picasso’s art, but when I looked at the mural he called Guernica, I could see what he was saying. Picasso’s mural is a powerful reminder of this terrible attack. Dave Boling’s wonderful book is a testament and tribute to all who died there and to all who lived and rebuilt their lives. Guernica is one of the best books I’ve read all year.
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