This was a wonderful read, a fictionalized history of Spain from the early 1900's up to the eve of WWII as seen through the eyes of Feliu Delargo who is a child prodigy on the cello who meets many historical figures as he grows into a first class cellist. It is also the story of his relationship with a well known pianist Justo Al Cerraz which is interrupted by Franco's victory in the Spanish civil war. Also, there is Aviva, a beautiful neurotic Jewish violinist who becomes important to both of them . Highly recommended



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ( )

"The Spanish Bow" tells the story of Feliu, a cellist whose career spans the first half of the twentieth century. Feliu witnesses the great events of age; the Spanish Civil War, the rise of Franco and the beginning of World War II. He meets many of the great names of the day, both musical and political. Despite all of this, Feliu, himself, remains a cipher, unwilling as he is to take action. The parts of his life where he is most active and involved are skirted quickly, the times he let events and people control him are dealt with in detail. Feliu loves deeply, but never brings himself to declare his feelings. His friends, a pianist and a violinist have exciting tales to tell. In the end, it is Feliu's passivity that keeps the book firmly on the ground, failing to soar with the notes made with his beloved cello bow.

This is a worthy book, which gives the reader a glimpse of Spanish history, without burdening him with any of the passion or nuances of the events pictured. Romano-Lax writes well and I look forward to her next outing into historical fiction. ( )

http://books.moonsoar.com/archives/20... ( )

This book is an amazing look at a tumultuous period in Spanish history. Feliu is a young man who always seems to profit from his tragedies. His father's death brings him his first real treasure: a cello bow. Because of a hip injury during his birth, he cannot play his violin standing up, so ihe plays it sitting down, like a cello. His mother's tragedy helps him escape to Barcelona. His naivete and his love of music shine through every phase of his life. We really get a look at Spain and music through the eyes of a growing young man - his outlook changes and matures and he discusses his mistakes and changes of vision. Beautifully written, fascinating and well-drawn characters and a pleasure to read. ( )

Feliu Delargo suffers two accidents at his birth in a Catalan village in 1892. A traumatic birth burdens him with a hip injury and the notary mistakes his mother’s intention to name him Feliz, or Happy. When he is six years old, his father, soon to die in Cuba, sends a box of gifts to be distributed among his children. Feliu is drawn to a wooden stick that sets him on his life’s course as he learns first to play the violin and then the cello.

Over the course of the 20th century, as Feliu becomes a world-renowned cellist, playing for kings and despots, he develops complex relationships with a volatile Spanish pianist/composer and an Italian Jewish violinist haunted by her past. As history unfolds, Feliu’s story traces his struggle to isolate his art from the great political and moral issues of his time, providing unmistakable parallels to the life of the great Spanish cellist Pablo Casals. Historical figures from the Spanish monarchy to Picasso and Hitler play cameo roles and Andromeda Romano-Lax’s prodigious research is used effectively. But it is the central characters and their moral choices that drive this impressive debut novel.

This book has epic sweep, complex characters and enough plot twists to satisfy readers of popular historical fiction. But it is a much more thoughtful, lyrical book than is typical of that genre, one that explores the role of art in political life and the human spirit. ( )