A review by mg_in_md_
The Anatomy of a Moment: Thirty-Five Minutes in History and Imagination by Javier Cercas

4.0

Although I have a few more pages to go, I am enjoying this book so much that I wanted to provide an early review. I was lucky enough to win this via the Goodreads FirstReads, so thanks for the opportunity to read this one early!! I lived in Spain a few years ago and studied Spanish history, including the 23 Feb attempted coup. The more I read, the more I'm remembering...and learning. I love the way the author has dissected the 35 minutes of the video and looked at the coup from so many different angles. In the first section of the book, it seemed like all roads were leading to this attempted coup and it was only a matter of time before it happened. I particularly enjoyed Cercas' description of the Communist Party leader who seemingly had little in common with Adolfo Suarez...and yet their lives and political careers ended up being more alike in the end. Reading this book in February is particularly interesting, given that's when the events occurred 30 years ago. I also am finding it interesting to read during this period of time with everything that has happened in Egypt. This book has been one of the most unique I've read in a long time. Thanks again to Goodreads for treating me to this gem!