The results of the Magazine of Santa Clarita book review club are in and Joan Carol O’Connell is the reviewer with the most thought-provoking words about the February book Captain Alatriste by Arturo Perez Reverte. Here is what O’Connell had to say about the book:
With this mercurial California winter weather, you can choose to curl up by a cozy fire or lounge by the pool with an entertaining adventure story that will transport you to 17th Century Spain and be caught up in an engrossing tale of “swords for hire.” Author Arturo Pérez-Reverte weaves an intricate narrative of political intrigue set in the 1620’s in Madrid, Spain. The protagonist, Diego Alatriste y Tenorio, given the honorary title of Captain during a bloody battle at Flanders, is now an aging ex-soldier who makes his way in life by settling other people’s quarrels using his skill with swords and knives. The narrative unfolds in the voice of the Captain’s page, now an old man recounting his service to the honorable Captain. The pace is plodding in the beginning with flowery descriptions of the cast of characters, the time and place. The in-depth details are similar to Edith Bunker’s lugubrious monologues of a daily activity shared with husband Archie on All In The Family. But Reverte’s discourse is more poetic, as evidenced in this excerpt: “…the women, who swept into the cazuela amid a flurry of skirts, shawls, and fans…were pinned like butterflies in the eyes of every gallant …”
In addition to poetic descriptions that read like a valentine to an era romanticized by the passing of time, I enjoyed his keen observations of political interactions which still ring true today: “This is the good thing about dealing with discreet parties. No one knows anyone.”
The story is also richly populated by historical figures of 17th-century Spain: the political mastermind el Conde de Olivares, the poet Francisco de Quevedo, the painter Velázquez. The pages overflow with historical information and examples of Golden Age poetry. While all of these vivid descriptions serve to bring the characters to life (they seem to jump off the page!), I was anxious for the action to start. Once the atmosphere and characters were established, I became completely immersed in the tale of an assassination attempt and the incredible twists and turns that followed. The unexpected denouement kept me up at night, fighting off sleep as I eagerly turned the pages to its surprising finale. This was a riveting tale and left me wanting more stories of the weathered, but not beaten Captain. That desire for more of the Captain’s adventures is answered in the four subsequent novels, which will soon be translated into English. I’ll be catching up on my sleep until then, ready to pull an all-nighter with the next incredible tale.
The April book selection is The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It reaches back five centuries to retell the story of Dracula and delves deeply into the nature of history and it’s relevance to today’s world, as well as serving as a cautionary tale of the historical antagonism between Western civilization and Islam. It was on the New York Times bestseller list during the summer and fall of 2005.
For the May book selection, read the gothic novel, Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Here’s what author Stephen King had to say about the scary, erotic and touching novel: “If you thought the true gothic novel died with the nineteenth century, this will change your mind…This is one gorgeous read.”
O’Connell will receive a $30 gift card from Borders Bookstore for her review. If you’d like to write a review and enter the contest to win a gift card for the best book review, e-mail your review, no longer than 400 words, to editorial@santaclaritamagazine.com. You may be the next winner. All reviews for The Historian should be emailed on or before March 13 and April 13 for reviews of Shadow of the Wind.