illusie's review against another edition
4.0
The first part of the book is very lovely and is about dancing. Especially, the flamenco. After that 2/3 of the book is about a more serious subject, the civil war in Spain. I hardly knew a thing about that subject, and thought this was very interesting.
zephyrusne's review against another edition
2.0
Hislop is such a boring narrator. I loved the story but had a really rough time going through it - it took me almost a year!
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: June 29th 2013
“Each word held its magic. They were like brushstrokes painting the landscape of the city, each one helping to build up a picture of the whole.”
Spoiler
Personally I`m quite interested in recent history and especially the Spanish Civil War. (My thesis on philology was about poems after this same civil war). I like the balance between present and past in The Return. The way Victoria Hislop uses the characters to describe the feelings of different parts of the society in those days of chaos is inspiring. Besides being a historical fiction novel, it's also the story about a lost woman in search of herself and her past... The scenes set in the present didn't impress me as much as those set in the past, but I would still recommend reading this story with its diverse storylines. If you enjoy reading historical fiction and don't mind a few cliche romance scenes, you surely will be moved.
The Return explains the tragedies of the Spanish Civil War experienced all over Spain through the Ramirez family, who live in Granada. The Ramirez couple has four children: Antonio, a young teacher with a passion for left-wing politics; Ignacio, an arrogant matador with right-wing views and no problems betraying his own family; Emilio, a shy young man and skilled musician; and last their sister, Mercedes, whose sole passion is flamenco dancing. The story is told mainly by the old owner of the Ramirez bar, Miguel. An unknowing English tourist enters the bar to drink some coffee on vacation and that's where it all starts. Sonia, whose mother has Spanish roots, becomes fascinated by the old flamenco photos, and Miguel starts telling the Ramirez story. A history full of tragedy, hope, love and loss... And a story that will end up changing Sonia's life.
Victoria Hislop is able to show different aspects of the Civil War terror through the lifes of the four Ramirez children. Especially the scenes set in the past were really strong and truly showed the despair felt by many families during the Spanish Civil War. Some of the scenes set in the present were a bit cliche and had too much romance for my taste, but then again I'm not a big fan of the romance genre... Still, The Return is without doubt an interesting read for historical fiction fans and those who want to read more about the Spanish Civil War.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
chrissireads's review against another edition
3.0
This book would be around 3.5 stars if Goodreads offered half stars.
I’ve really enjoyed Victoria Hislop’s previous books, so I was looking forward to getting stuck into this book. Don’t be fooled by the cover, I don’t think it’s a particularly ‘beachy’ read. It’s certainly not got that chick lit feel, which I’m sure my sister (who is yet to read it) will be happy to hear. I thought The Return was a really solid piece of historical fiction.
I was really surprised by the first 150 or so pages of the book. It didn’t feel very Victoria Hislop-esque. It starts with two friends, Sonia and Maggie going to Granada for a dancing course. It was definitely interesting to read, it felt quite light compared to the other books I’ve read of Victoria’s. Maggie meets a Spanish lover and Sonia befriends an elderly waiter who starts to tell her about the Spanish Civil War. This is where it becomes a Victoria Hislop book. It’s what she’s brilliant at writing, recalling historical events in a way that’s interesting, but also in a way that doesn’t make the reader feel bogged down with information.
When we move into the narration about the Spanish Civil War and the effects it had on the people our narrator knew, the book does become much heavier. It’s told in an informative way though. It may not be a page turner in my eyes, but it’s certainly interesting. You can really tell how much work Victoria Hislop has put into researching this book. Everything is told in such a descriptive manner, that the reader can really imagine what it was like.
I think the reason why I didn’t give this book four stars, was that it felt a bit disjointed. I would’ve liked the stories together more seamlessly. That’s being incredibly picky though. I still think it’s worth checking out. Victoria Hislop’s writing is beautiful and she truly knows her stuff.
I’ve really enjoyed Victoria Hislop’s previous books, so I was looking forward to getting stuck into this book. Don’t be fooled by the cover, I don’t think it’s a particularly ‘beachy’ read. It’s certainly not got that chick lit feel, which I’m sure my sister (who is yet to read it) will be happy to hear. I thought The Return was a really solid piece of historical fiction.
I was really surprised by the first 150 or so pages of the book. It didn’t feel very Victoria Hislop-esque. It starts with two friends, Sonia and Maggie going to Granada for a dancing course. It was definitely interesting to read, it felt quite light compared to the other books I’ve read of Victoria’s. Maggie meets a Spanish lover and Sonia befriends an elderly waiter who starts to tell her about the Spanish Civil War. This is where it becomes a Victoria Hislop book. It’s what she’s brilliant at writing, recalling historical events in a way that’s interesting, but also in a way that doesn’t make the reader feel bogged down with information.
When we move into the narration about the Spanish Civil War and the effects it had on the people our narrator knew, the book does become much heavier. It’s told in an informative way though. It may not be a page turner in my eyes, but it’s certainly interesting. You can really tell how much work Victoria Hislop has put into researching this book. Everything is told in such a descriptive manner, that the reader can really imagine what it was like.
I think the reason why I didn’t give this book four stars, was that it felt a bit disjointed. I would’ve liked the stories together more seamlessly. That’s being incredibly picky though. I still think it’s worth checking out. Victoria Hislop’s writing is beautiful and she truly knows her stuff.
wendoxford's review against another edition
2.0
Hislop's books always focus on fascinating subject areas which lure me in. I found, much like my reading of The Island, that an amazing bit of history merely sits as the backdrop to a family saga which rides the waves of "pain and passion"and ...coincidence. It is not that I feel dismissive of this sweeping scope genre of novel, more that my own expectations do not match live up to the reality which makes me disappointed. The triumph of hope over experience.
I felt strongly that the way to tell this story and whose voice was used, rather clumsy. It felt clunky and, although gave the ability to tell a story from many perspectives, just felt like the author had landed on this idea rather than crafted it.
For me, much of the writing is blowsy and over the top. One of the early descriptions reminded (and amused me)
"delivering tureens of soup or casserole to her generously proportioned hostess trolley"
I rest my case!
I felt strongly that the way to tell this story and whose voice was used, rather clumsy. It felt clunky and, although gave the ability to tell a story from many perspectives, just felt like the author had landed on this idea rather than crafted it.
For me, much of the writing is blowsy and over the top. One of the early descriptions reminded (and amused me)
"delivering tureens of soup or casserole to her generously proportioned hostess trolley"
I rest my case!
lowriai's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sarahrobins11's review against another edition
4.0
I’m glad I read this. At points it was hard going but the history behind the story was actually really good to know. I’m not a huge history fan but learning a bit more about the civil war was interesting. Was I really loved was the backstory of love and dance behind the book and it ended with a smile on my face!
b_morganbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I saved this one to read whilst I was in Spain and it was a great idea. I felt like I was there in the sun, watching the flamenco dancers. At times, the story was beautiful, but at others, I felt like it was dragging on. Particularly during the middle section that was set in the past. The past is usually my favourite section in historical fiction, so it was unusual for me to almost be bored.
I have only heard great things about Victoria’s other books though so I’ll definitely give them a go.
I have only heard great things about Victoria’s other books though so I’ll definitely give them a go.
morwenna's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, War, and Alcoholism