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A review by storyman
Winter in Madrid by C.J. Sansom
5.0
Fantastic slow-burn historical novel revolving around three men who went to the same school and end up embroiled in the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath.
The characters pull you in from the start, even the seemingly bland main protagonist Harry Brett, an Everyman persuaded into spying on his old school friend Sandy Forsyth, whom the British fear is on the verge of finding enough gold to fund Spain into the war on the Axis side.
I love how Sansom pulls you into the grim city and plays with your political affiliations. When you're with Bernie, you're a communist. When you're with Sandy, you're a pragmatist taking opportunities under any regime. And when you're with Harry and Barbara, you see both sides' flaws. Sansom's writing is subtle enough to persuade you in all directions without battering you over the head with politics.
The plot is slow-paced, and some readers might lose patience, but the deep characters and rich setting keep you on the page until the climax forces sweat from your palms.
A great read.
The characters pull you in from the start, even the seemingly bland main protagonist Harry Brett, an Everyman persuaded into spying on his old school friend Sandy Forsyth, whom the British fear is on the verge of finding enough gold to fund Spain into the war on the Axis side.
I love how Sansom pulls you into the grim city and plays with your political affiliations. When you're with Bernie, you're a communist. When you're with Sandy, you're a pragmatist taking opportunities under any regime. And when you're with Harry and Barbara, you see both sides' flaws. Sansom's writing is subtle enough to persuade you in all directions without battering you over the head with politics.
The plot is slow-paced, and some readers might lose patience, but the deep characters and rich setting keep you on the page until the climax forces sweat from your palms.
A great read.