Special Book Review (No. 4)

Special Book Review Number 4

Title: The Fountains of Silence

Author: Ruta Sepetys

Summary: Madrid, 1957. Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain under the welcoming promise of sunshine and wine. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of an oil tycoon, who arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother's birth through the lens of his camera. Photography - and fate - introduce him to Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War - as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. Daniel's photographs leave him with uncomfortable questions amidst shadows of danger. He is backed into a corner of difficult decisions to protect those he loves. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city.

Dates Read: May 6 - June 13, 2021

Storyline: 5/5 stars

Characters: 5/5 stars

Setting: 5/5 stars

Overall: 15/15 stars

Goodreads Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: Just another book to add to the list of books that have my heart and soul. I had heard quite a bit about The Fountains of Silence, along with Sepetys' other books, on booktube from some of the videos I had watched. Most of these booktubers absolutely praised the book and Ruta Sepetys' writing. I 100% agree with the praise they gave this book. The Fountains of Silence is so beautifully intricate and detailed while being exquisitely simple as well. I loved the storyline, all the POVs we get, and the entire premise of the book. As I've mentioned here quite a few times here on my blog, historical fiction is flooded with WWII settings. The Fountains of Silence was a wonderful break from seeing all the WWII historical fiction books. 1957 Spain and Franco's dictatorship is such an interesting setting to use for a novel, and Sepetys incorporates it so well. I definitely agree with many booktuber's opinions of the book, and I highly recommend it as a read.