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weepingwillow_06's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
aross1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
dreamingreader's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This felt more like a romance than a history being told. Overall character development was good but the technical writing style isn’t as refined as her other book (“I Must Betray You”). However, I did enjoy the setting in Spain since there are very little stories told from there.
texreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
During dictator Franco’s reign in Spain, life was extraordinarily hard for average citizens but especially those whose parents fought on the “wrong side” during the Spanish Civil War. It’s the 1950s, and along comes a Texas teen Dan whose dad wants to enter the oil business with Franco. But Dan has a huge heart and empathy and falls for a hotel maid. We learn her family’s stories through various family members and friends and they are heart-breaking. This author writes brilliant books. I’ve loved them all and this one is just as good. Highly highly recommended especially about very recent events that unbelievably continued to occur into the 1980s.
angielina's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I did not know that Texans still act the same way today as they did in the 50s. :) This book is genuinely very informative on the topic of the dictatorship regime in Spain during the 50s. Many people do not know that anything like that had ever occurred there. The author did a good job of expressing that through the forbidden romance between the two protagonists
curlsandcrime's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
remilauren's review against another edition
5.0
Civil War has ended and Franco has established himself, El Caudillo. Children have lost their parents, those who are alive are impoverished. Spain is reeling from the effects of the war while subject to the oppressive rules of the regime and under the constant watch by the Guardia Civil.
In this backdrop, we follow the lives of Daniel and Ana among several characters. Daniel, a passionate photographer, is the son of an oil magnate from Texas. Ana, a bright girl, is the daughter of Republicans, who were slain fighting for education during the Civil War. She lives in Vallecas with her sister and brother. Ana works at the Hilton, where Daniel is staying and she is assigned to help his family. Daniel wants to unravel Spain through his lens and Ana helps him understand the context of pictures he's taken. This brings them closer stirring a passionate romance.
Rafa is brooding and wants justice for his parents. After his father's death, he was forcefully put through Boys Home, where he met Fuga. He is working hard to make a Matador of his friend. But doing this, they stumble upon empty coffins.
Puri is Ana's cousin who works at the Inclusa. She firmly believes in Franco's rules for the land. But her faith is questioned when she discovers babies being reported dead and being sold off at a price under the guise of adoption.
Each story evolves separately and finally is interwoven to form the story of Spain. All of them are suffering due to a past in which they played no part. With them, we discover the deeper secrets of the land, the misdoings of the regime. Through them, we follow the journey of Spain through this tumultuous period. As Spain finally sheds its shackles and becomes free, everyone is set free to live at their own will.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Daniel and Ana had very few intimate scenes but they were done in such a beautiful manner, I loved them. I rooted for them and cried at their romantic reunion. I liked how the author dropped hints and pieces that would make sense at a later point in the book. This was my first historical fiction and I am definitely looking to read more :)
In this backdrop, we follow the lives of Daniel and Ana among several characters. Daniel, a passionate photographer, is the son of an oil magnate from Texas. Ana, a bright girl, is the daughter of Republicans, who were slain fighting for education during the Civil War. She lives in Vallecas with her sister and brother. Ana works at the Hilton, where Daniel is staying and she is assigned to help his family. Daniel wants to unravel Spain through his lens and Ana helps him understand the context of pictures he's taken. This brings them closer stirring a passionate romance.
Rafa is brooding and wants justice for his parents. After his father's death, he was forcefully put through Boys Home, where he met Fuga. He is working hard to make a Matador of his friend. But doing this, they stumble upon empty coffins.
Puri is Ana's cousin who works at the Inclusa. She firmly believes in Franco's rules for the land. But her faith is questioned when she discovers babies being reported dead and being sold off at a price under the guise of adoption.
Each story evolves separately and finally is interwoven to form the story of Spain. All of them are suffering due to a past in which they played no part. With them, we discover the deeper secrets of the land, the misdoings of the regime. Through them, we follow the journey of Spain through this tumultuous period. As Spain finally sheds its shackles and becomes free, everyone is set free to live at their own will.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Daniel and Ana had very few intimate scenes but they were done in such a beautiful manner, I loved them. I rooted for them and cried at their romantic reunion. I liked how the author dropped hints and pieces that would make sense at a later point in the book. This was my first historical fiction and I am definitely looking to read more :)
jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
Ruta Sepetys writes such great historical fiction that highlights undertold stories. The Fountains of Silence is no different. Sepetys shines a light on the brutality of Franco's rule over Spain, of which I knew very little (and yes, I'm ashamed to admit that). She makes me want to learn more about it. I cared about Daniel and Ana and Rafa and Nick. But it's too slow, and the time skip at the end just didn't work for me. I wanted to love this book, but ended up only liking it.
thebookishepicure's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
barbi7's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0