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Spain, 1939.
Nicolas Torres has a Scottish mother and a Spanish father. They had all lived together near Inverness until three years ago when Nicolas’ father had announced that he was going to Spain to fight for the Republicans in the Civil War. Now the war is over but Nicolas’ father has not returned and there is no word of him. Nicolas decides to go to Spain and try to find out what has happened to his father.
A French sympathiser guides him along smugglers path and over the Pyrenees. From then on Nicolas has to find his own way through Spain. All he has with him is his bedroll, his haversack and water bottle. And a list of safe houses. But – very important – he has no identity papers. He has entered Spain illegally and he has been warned that if Franco’s men catch him they will show no mercy. To make matters worse his list of safe houses is out-of-date.
Nicolas is soon in trouble. When he goes to the second ‘safe-house’ on his list he finds that the occupant has been executed and the house given to Nationalists. While trying to escape he tears his hand on a barbed wire fence and blood poisoning is the result. He is found by Isabel, the daughter of the local sergeant in the Civil Guard. Isabel takes him to the local doctor and then hides him in a cave. But her younger brother finds out and tells his father and Nicolas is arrested. But Isabel helps him to escape. She decides to leave her brutal father and to help Nicolas instead. Together they make their way right through Spain from the north to the Mediterranean coast.
They are in almost continual danger. Spain is a land of fear and neighbour cannot trust neighbour. Lying awake at night Nicolas hears the sound of gunshot and remembers that it is at night that the Civil Guard carry out their executions. But Nicolas now has a companion to help him and he gradually becomes aware of an increasing affection for Isabel.
This book forms an excellent introduction to the Spanish Civil War for young people as there is not too much political detail. The bare facts are explained very clearly but it is the story which matters. This means that the book can be understood and enjoyed by someone who does not know much about the Spanish Civil War.
An exciting story set against the background of a country suffering the ravages of a brutal civil war and under the domination of a ruthless dictator.
Young adult.
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