The Spanish civil war exploded when the core of the Spanish character, forged over centuries, was assailed by the actions of new but misguided ideas in conflict with the Spanish spirit. Manolo is a living ghost of childhood lost, brought about by the horror of the war, that left the Country scarred for many decades. Wounds, which will never quite heal. It is through his eyes, the eyes of a ten-year-old child, that the consequences of such tragic conflict are viewed. Together with his friends, two boys and a girl of the same age, he transports us to the days, back in history, when death was around the corner and was accepted as the norm; when threats to innocent lives easily became a quick step to execution for the most trivial reasons; when food was scarce to the point of starvation. And amidst this turmoil Manolo survived as a refugee of adversity.
Reviews:
MANOLO is written with such sincerity: it is full of poignant memories of living, and surviving starvation, in war torn Madrid during this terrifying time. It is told with humour and extreme pathos. It made me laugh and cry at the deep bonds between Manolo and his friends and, I feel it should be carried to a wider audience in that it would make a very good film
The book is a good testimony, which gives us the opportunity to see the Spanish war through a children eye. A best lecture after you've been many years prisoner in Hemingway's well-done trap of `'For Whom the Bell Tolls''. Manolo and his friends story are funny and tragically in the same time and I am pretty sure you'll remember all the conspiracies from `'Ali Baba's Cave'' long time after you finish the book.
A great achievement for any writer. Congratulation to don Miguel Montero
Everyone should read Manolo and listen to its unfolding story. Having had the privilage of hearing it as the book was written, I am more than delighted to see it in print. It's an amagamation of history, social reality and the magic of a childs eye to the unfolding horror of war. Beautifully understated prose and yes, I agree it would easily make a film.
Reviews:
MANOLO is written with such sincerity: it is full of poignant memories of living, and surviving starvation, in war torn Madrid during this terrifying time. It is told with humour and extreme pathos. It made me laugh and cry at the deep bonds between Manolo and his friends and, I feel it should be carried to a wider audience in that it would make a very good film
The book is a good testimony, which gives us the opportunity to see the Spanish war through a children eye. A best lecture after you've been many years prisoner in Hemingway's well-done trap of `'For Whom the Bell Tolls''. Manolo and his friends story are funny and tragically in the same time and I am pretty sure you'll remember all the conspiracies from `'Ali Baba's Cave'' long time after you finish the book.
A great achievement for any writer. Congratulation to don Miguel Montero
Everyone should read Manolo and listen to its unfolding story. Having had the privilage of hearing it as the book was written, I am more than delighted to see it in print. It's an amagamation of history, social reality and the magic of a childs eye to the unfolding horror of war. Beautifully understated prose and yes, I agree it would easily make a film.
