Bookverdict.com

Published originally in Spanish in 1943 and appearing in English for the first time, this is the first of five novels of the author's cycle El laberinto mugico (The Magic Labyrinth). It begins with Rafael Serrador, who leaves his village and makes his way as a teenager to Barcelona, where he eventually is caught up in the outbreak of the Spanish civil war. The novel's history is a saga in itself; Aub, born in France of German parents and considered a "national icon" in Spain today according to the publisher, smuggled it during the war from Spain to North Africa and finally to Mexico, where he lived the rest of his life. Verdict Aub's style-he was also a playwright-is to paint lightly with scraps and snippets of dialog, seamlessly translated by Martin, that cumulatively assume the force of reality. Sections will not be understood by readers with no background in the period, but for those with an interest in literary fiction or the Spanish civil war, this estimable work should find a devoted following.-Edward Cone, New York Copyright 2009 Media Source Inc. Copyright 2009 Media Source Inc. ...Log In or Sign Up to Read More