I've taken up history books of late - and picked up this novel to read it through a second time. Considered by most old Spaniards to be the most unbiased account of events leading up to the Spanish civil war.
What an amazing book! Not only is the story gripping, but the characters have an unmatched depth. Human conflict, both internal and external is portrayed with impressive daftness. The most influential philosophical movements of the 20th century are embodied in likeable, lovable, and sympathetic characters (anarchism, existentialism, communism, catholocism, etc). The Alvear family is touched by each through people they meet, and through changes in their beloved Gerona. But the Alvear's somehow avoid being absorbed into any one ideology and thus remain the perfect referees to convey the meaning in all that happens during these tumultuous years.
If you like history: read this book.
If you like philosophy: read this book.
If you like a great story: read this book.
At least, that's what I tell all the people to whom I've given copies.

I realize that I am overselling this book by calling it the greatest book I ever read but, it is. The reason for it is that I was always interested in the Spanish Civil War. I always viewed that event as a microcosm of the politics of the 20th Century. The problems with most histories of the event is that they don't fully cover the political spectrum. Gironella presents a review of life in Spain leading up to the outbreak of rebellion. In his use of characters, the reader is introduced to every faction involved; from anarchist to royalist and everything in between. This personalization of the politics makes it all the more understandable and gives one an insight to the many conflicts within the conflict. Yes, it's long but I didn't think so even after the second reading.

This book is filled with emotion and depicts with great skill the life and feelings of the people of the town of Gerona in Spain in the years before the Civil War. The most important thing is the personalities of the characters, but the suspense is great (I could not stop reading it for three straight days). It is a monument to catholicism too. It makes you understand how such a thing as the Spanish War took place. It was reprinted several times and had great impact in Spain and was followed by two more books. In my opinion the author deserves a Nobel Prize

This novel is set in the years immediately preceding the Spanish Civil War. Gironella looks at Spain through the eyes of the Alvear family in Girona, a city in Catalunya, the northeastern region of Spain. All of the main tendencies in Spanish political life--traditional Catholics, Falangists, Communists, Socialists, Anarchists, Monarchists, and Masons--are portrayed accurately and sympathetically. I highly recommend this novel for anyone who loves Spain.

Primero no se dejen engañar por la foto que sale en el cover, cualquiera diria que se trata de una novela de la revolución, aunque tiene una relación con esa ultima, la novela trata de los cambios de Mexico despues de la revolución. Y aunque contiene cuatro relatos, estos no son totalmente independientes, sino que los cuatro diferentes relatos tienen personajes en comunes. Ese tejido lo hace muy bien Carlos Fuentes de manera que uno queda pendiente en el siguiente relato a quien va a refenciar y ver otro punto de vista. Definitivamente comprenlo.

A través del conflicto generacional, se muestra la evolución de España desde los años 30 hasta los 70, dentro del marco de la ciudad de Barcelona