Elizabeth is visiting her parents in Málaga when the Spanish Civil War breaks out. All foreigners are told they must evacuate – the Nationalist soldiers are coming and no-one is safe. But Elizabeth’s ambition is to be a photo-journalist and she decides she will stay, despite her parents’ objections. Alone in the devastated city of Málaga, she begins to regret her hasty decision until she meets … meets two young men, Juan, an idealistic Spaniard and Alex, a pragmatic Englishman. Amongst the death and carnage she falls in love with Juan, but as they try to make their escape along the Carretera del Muerte, the highway of death, they become separated.
Not knowing if her lover is alive or dead she must choose between staying and risking death at the hands of the Nationalists or fleeing back to England with Alex.
‘Tragic, uplifting and beautiful, Spanish Lavender doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war, but neither does it concentrate on them. It is vital to remember that Spanish Lavender is a story of love. A riveting read.’
HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY REVIEW January 2014
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I really enjoyed this book. It deals with past events in families . Then brings it current. It talks about the Spanish war in 1937 then how things have changed. It shows how generations have have evolved.
Highly recommend! This is an excellent work of historical fiction based on a true story set in the civil war of Spain shortly before WWII. The history is very informative and expertly woven into the rich fictional family component of the story. Simultaneously beautiful and tragic. A page tuner I was unable to put down. I am looking forward to more novels by Joan Fallon.
In an amazing plot twist the scene shifts from tragedy of the Spanish Civil War in Malaga to a 21st century descendant attempting to unravel her true family identity. I learned a lot about the senselessness of fascism and appeasement leading to the slaughter of countless innocents. And yet it still continues to day in places like Yemen.
Who knew and when did he know? The poor woman kept the secret and her granddaughter was almost disinherited. Loving someone sometimes means keeping a secret.
I was quite happy with the book, but the ending seemed very abrupt. It made me wonder if the author was on a deadline or maybe she just wanted to leave me wanting more.
This book should be made into a movie. This was one of my all time favorite books.
The first part of the book has several characters thrown into the worst of a war where they become dependent on each other for survival. The second part of the story drops down a couple of generations to finish the tale. I thought it would have been more interesting to tell the tale of the second generation but it was still a good read.
this was an amazing story that still haunts me
Loves the historical facts although, very sad
This book helped me understand the Spanish Civil war.
Okay book. Just not for me.
It has good story but I just felt not all of it was needed to get to the same ending
The horrors of the Spanish Civil War through the experience of 2 British young adults is over shadowed by the priviledge of British citizenship. The background disaster that surrounds these characters is downp;layed to the point that the Spanish people’s suffereing seems backdrop to these characters. I had the sense of ethem standing in front of the infamous painting.
So boring, I couldn’t get into it and only read a few chapters
Not very interesting to me