specialk136's review against another edition
4.0
Ruta Sepetys is just a cut above her peers with her writing. Actually, I'm not sure who her peers are - her novels are each so different but they're consistently good. This one is set in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War and the 36-year rule of Franco - which I knew nothing about, even after visiting Spain twice. Yet she manages to fold in quotes from real diplomats and US foreign policy makers, bullfighting, baby snatching, and a cute romance. It's educational without hitting you over the head - it's nuanced and multifaceted. It tackles serious subjects with real consequences but is somehow fun to read - I flew through it.
4.5 stars.
4.5 stars.
johanna_b's review against another edition
5.0
It's 1957 and Spain is in the midst of the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. But the borders are open and wealthy businessman and tourists flock the streets. Daniel Matheson is one of them, an eighteen year old who wants to go into photography for a living. He sets out to connect with his mother's homeland through his pictures but soon discovers that there is more to this country than meets the eye. Ana knows how important silence is. Revealing too much might cost her and her family their jobs, home and even lives. But then she meets Daniel and she just knows that he is different from the hundreds of other tourists who pass through the hotel where she works. She knows the risks but is it worth breaking silence for someone you love?
This story was so powerful. Reading this book I felt so naive. I never knew Spain had experienced a Civil War or of their dictatorship which lasted for 36 years! The media reports and historical commentaries interspersed throughout the book made it so that I learned more from this than any other historical fiction that I've ever read. An amazing bonus was I got to enjoy such a beautiful story at the same time. I loved the fact that each character had a voice. We get to hear the story, not only Ana and Daniel's point of view, but also that of Ana's sister, brother and cousin as well as the pain, joy and hopelessness each of them felt in turn.
I am currently learning Spanish so it made this book even more special when I was able to understand the Spanish words and phrases without having to turn to the glossary! What I learned from this book was that the truth can be hard and the truth can be ugly. The time isn't always right for sharing the truth and finding the right people to share with can be difficult. But once the time is right, don't throw away the opportunity to speak your truth aloud because truth breaks the chains of silence. It sets us free.
This is definitely one of the best historical fictions I have ever read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys these kind of books. I can't wait to go and visit Spain one day! Thank you Ruta Sepetys and everyone who contributed to the making of this book, I loved every minute of it. Happy Reading :)
This story was so powerful. Reading this book I felt so naive. I never knew Spain had experienced a Civil War or of their dictatorship which lasted for 36 years! The media reports and historical commentaries interspersed throughout the book made it so that I learned more from this than any other historical fiction that I've ever read. An amazing bonus was I got to enjoy such a beautiful story at the same time. I loved the fact that each character had a voice. We get to hear the story, not only Ana and Daniel's point of view, but also that of Ana's sister, brother and cousin as well as the pain, joy and hopelessness each of them felt in turn.
I am currently learning Spanish so it made this book even more special when I was able to understand the Spanish words and phrases without having to turn to the glossary! What I learned from this book was that the truth can be hard and the truth can be ugly. The time isn't always right for sharing the truth and finding the right people to share with can be difficult. But once the time is right, don't throw away the opportunity to speak your truth aloud because truth breaks the chains of silence. It sets us free.
This is definitely one of the best historical fictions I have ever read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys these kind of books. I can't wait to go and visit Spain one day! Thank you Ruta Sepetys and everyone who contributed to the making of this book, I loved every minute of it. Happy Reading :)
lulunyx's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm loving reading Ruta Sepetys' books. After I must betray you I immediately picked up the fountains of silence and it has once again thrown light on a subject I never would have research or known anything about on my own.
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
4.0
Sei muito pouco sobre a história da Espanha, e praticamente nada sobre o período da ditadura de Franco. Este livro me ensinou muita coisa. Como sempre, a Literatura lançando luz sobre fatos que a história oficial nem sempre alcança.
clt677's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
The beginning was a little slow, the middle was fantastic, and the end felt rushed. There was so much character development done with great care that to have the ending wrapped up so quickly was a bit of a let down. I feel like I need a sequel to The book too catch me up on what happened to everyone. But this was a great story, especially for a time in history I wasn't very familiar with. The author clearly did meticulous research.
courtney_megan6's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
katieproctorbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This one has a slow start but I loved it so much by the end. I knew virtually nothing about Franco’s Spain after the war, and I loved our main characters in this story. Trigger warnings for child death and endangerment. But the ending was perfection.
rachelsb00kreviews's review against another edition
5.0
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
August 27 — 29 (Book Review Pages: Facebook | Instagram)
“Truth breaks the chains of silence…It sets us all free.”
As with every book by this author, she always teaches me something new! Yes, I have read this one before but in the three years since, I had forgotten a lot of it. It’s funny that my first Sepetys book I ever read is now the last I shall be reviewing properly(until she has another one come out!). This book holds a special place in my heart because it opened my eyes to history that I think very few knew the depth of and the fact that I have a signed copy...well, that just means I’ll always treasure it! 5⭐️ that are blazingly golden and if you have any interest in Spain’s darker parts of history, pick up this book! It is one that exposes a time I bet you didn't know about.
One thing I must point out, before reading this book—the first time around, obviously—is that I truly had no idea about the Spanish Civil War or Francisco Franco. I had heard his name or read about him in things that line up with Hitler and/or Mussolini but I never knew that a fascist dictator was still in control over in Europe, especially after WWII ended. It was utterly mind boggling to me then (and now after rereading) how this book highlights and brings forward such a horrible, unbelievably heartbreaking era of Spain's history. Franco used the Catholic faith to manipulate his people in ways that are unimaginable and used fear to silence anyone who even dared to speak out.
Something you cannot deny in reading any of Ruta Sepetys books is that she does her research! I could go on and on about everything in this book but I don't want to ruin anything for anyone interested in reading this book. It's filled with facts—literally, there are pages with quotes or historical references from people involved in the government(ours or theirs), people who reported on Spain during the time or wrote about it. It's a work of historical fiction with characters you want to believe really lived through this unreal period and fought for the truth against insurmountable odds.
I cannot and will probably never recommend this book enough! Please, do yourself a favor and read it...
August 27 — 29 (Book Review Pages: Facebook | Instagram)
“Truth breaks the chains of silence…It sets us all free.”
As with every book by this author, she always teaches me something new! Yes, I have read this one before but in the three years since, I had forgotten a lot of it. It’s funny that my first Sepetys book I ever read is now the last I shall be reviewing properly(until she has another one come out!). This book holds a special place in my heart because it opened my eyes to history that I think very few knew the depth of and the fact that I have a signed copy...well, that just means I’ll always treasure it! 5⭐️ that are blazingly golden and if you have any interest in Spain’s darker parts of history, pick up this book! It is one that exposes a time I bet you didn't know about.
One thing I must point out, before reading this book—the first time around, obviously—is that I truly had no idea about the Spanish Civil War or Francisco Franco. I had heard his name or read about him in things that line up with Hitler and/or Mussolini but I never knew that a fascist dictator was still in control over in Europe, especially after WWII ended. It was utterly mind boggling to me then (and now after rereading) how this book highlights and brings forward such a horrible, unbelievably heartbreaking era of Spain's history. Franco used the Catholic faith to manipulate his people in ways that are unimaginable and used fear to silence anyone who even dared to speak out.
Something you cannot deny in reading any of Ruta Sepetys books is that she does her research! I could go on and on about everything in this book but I don't want to ruin anything for anyone interested in reading this book. It's filled with facts—literally, there are pages with quotes or historical references from people involved in the government(ours or theirs), people who reported on Spain during the time or wrote about it. It's a work of historical fiction with characters you want to believe really lived through this unreal period and fought for the truth against insurmountable odds.
I cannot and will probably never recommend this book enough! Please, do yourself a favor and read it...