From the stunning cover to the rich historical narrative this book is truly captivating inside and out. I was drawn to this book because it deals with Spain in the aftermath of its bloody civil war, left under the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. Franco began to allow tourism and trade back into Spain, making the world believe Spain was all “sunshine and wine,” but Franco’s Spain was really about secrets and shadows.
Daniel Matheson is in Spain with his family from Dallas, Texas. His father is a wealthy oil tycoon looking to do business, and his mother is happy to be back in her birthplace of Madrid. Eighteen-year-old Daniel is a photographer with hopes of going to journalism school, but his father wants him to go into the family business. Daniel just wants to capture Spain through his lens. If he’s not careful though, his photos may land him in jail or worse.
Ana is a maid at the Castellana Hilton Madrid, and she is assigned to serve the wealthy Matheson family that recently arrived from Texas. Ana is dazzled by the glamor and independence of the Americans. She is quite taken by the young Texan, named Daniel. But she has too many secrets. She must do her job to help support her family; she can’t risk losing more.
When Daniel and Ana’s lives intersect, Daniel realizes there is a very dark veil around Franco’s Spain. The war may be over, but atrocities are taking place, and the people stay silent because of fear. Daniel’s photographs begin to show too much of the truth. Daniel is now caught between two worlds. How will he protect the ones he loves? What other secrets lie beneath the surface?
If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will be totally engrossed in this book. Sepetys has also included actual reports and commentary from this time period (1957-1978). The story is beautifully written and the facts are heartbreaking. In the Author’s Note she wisely states, “History reveals that amidst war, the highest tolls are often paid by the youngest.”
Daniel Matheson is in Spain with his family from Dallas, Texas. His father is a wealthy oil tycoon looking to do business, and his mother is happy to be back in her birthplace of Madrid. Eighteen-year-old Daniel is a photographer with hopes of going to journalism school, but his father wants him to go into the family business. Daniel just wants to capture Spain through his lens. If he’s not careful though, his photos may land him in jail or worse.
Ana is a maid at the Castellana Hilton Madrid, and she is assigned to serve the wealthy Matheson family that recently arrived from Texas. Ana is dazzled by the glamor and independence of the Americans. She is quite taken by the young Texan, named Daniel. But she has too many secrets. She must do her job to help support her family; she can’t risk losing more.
When Daniel and Ana’s lives intersect, Daniel realizes there is a very dark veil around Franco’s Spain. The war may be over, but atrocities are taking place, and the people stay silent because of fear. Daniel’s photographs begin to show too much of the truth. Daniel is now caught between two worlds. How will he protect the ones he loves? What other secrets lie beneath the surface?
If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will be totally engrossed in this book. Sepetys has also included actual reports and commentary from this time period (1957-1978). The story is beautifully written and the facts are heartbreaking. In the Author’s Note she wisely states, “History reveals that amidst war, the highest tolls are often paid by the youngest.”