From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, extraordinary portrait of love, silence, and secrets under a Spanish dictatorship.
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. Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys once again shines light into one of history's darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence--inspired by the true postwar struggles of Spain. Includes vintage media reports, oral history commentary, photos, and more. BL 4.5/15 |
Praise for The Fountains of Silence
"Spain under Francisco Franco is as dystopian a setting as Margaret Atwood’s Gilead in Ruta Sepetys’s suspenseful, romantic and timely new work of historical fiction . . . Like [Shakespeare's family romances], 'The Fountains of Silence' speaks truth to power, persuading future rulers to avoid repeating the crimes of the past." --The New York Times Book Review
“Full of twists and revelations…an excellent story, and timely, too.” --The Wall Street Journal
"A staggering tale of love, loss, and national shame." --Entertainment Weekly
* "[Sepetys] tells a moving story made even more powerful by its placement in a lesser-known historical moment. Captivating, deft, and illuminating historical fiction." --Booklist, *STARRED REVIEW*
* "This gripping, often haunting historical novel offers a memorable portrait of fascist Spain." --Publishers Weekly, *STARRED REVIEW*
* "This richly woven historical fiction . . . will keep young adults as well as adults interested from the first page to the last." --SLC, *STARRED REVIEW*
* "Riveting . . . An exemplary work of historical fiction." --The Horn Book, *STARRED REVIEW*
"Spain under Francisco Franco is as dystopian a setting as Margaret Atwood’s Gilead in Ruta Sepetys’s suspenseful, romantic and timely new work of historical fiction . . . Like [Shakespeare's family romances], 'The Fountains of Silence' speaks truth to power, persuading future rulers to avoid repeating the crimes of the past." --The New York Times Book Review
“Full of twists and revelations…an excellent story, and timely, too.” --The Wall Street Journal
"A staggering tale of love, loss, and national shame." --Entertainment Weekly
* "[Sepetys] tells a moving story made even more powerful by its placement in a lesser-known historical moment. Captivating, deft, and illuminating historical fiction." --Booklist, *STARRED REVIEW*
* "This gripping, often haunting historical novel offers a memorable portrait of fascist Spain." --Publishers Weekly, *STARRED REVIEW*
* "This richly woven historical fiction . . . will keep young adults as well as adults interested from the first page to the last." --SLC, *STARRED REVIEW*
* "Riveting . . . An exemplary work of historical fiction." --The Horn Book, *STARRED REVIEW*
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE:
The tradition of bullfighting has a long history in Spain. How do Rafa and Fuga become fixated on this way of life? Does the matador narrative weave seamlessly with the rest of the story or stand out? Did you find symbolism in the inclusion of these scenes? Did the men who became matadors have more influence in the Spanish culture? Why were they willing to risk their lives for this occupation? Do some research and see what you find out. You can share your information as a picture, poster, paragraph, powerpoint, or however you choose to. Finding more information about this will help you understand Rafa and Fuga better.
The tradition of bullfighting has a long history in Spain. How do Rafa and Fuga become fixated on this way of life? Does the matador narrative weave seamlessly with the rest of the story or stand out? Did you find symbolism in the inclusion of these scenes? Did the men who became matadors have more influence in the Spanish culture? Why were they willing to risk their lives for this occupation? Do some research and see what you find out. You can share your information as a picture, poster, paragraph, powerpoint, or however you choose to. Finding more information about this will help you understand Rafa and Fuga better.
CHANCE:
Did you know anything about the Spanish Civil War, Franco's regime, or the hundreds of thousands of missing children potentially affected by it before starting this novel? If not, how compelled do you feel to do further research on this topic? What most affected you about the historical events depicted in the novel? Using what you learned in the book, choose what you would like to research and get to it. Your research findings need to be at least a page long, either typed or hand written. Good luck and have fun with your research.
Did you know anything about the Spanish Civil War, Franco's regime, or the hundreds of thousands of missing children potentially affected by it before starting this novel? If not, how compelled do you feel to do further research on this topic? What most affected you about the historical events depicted in the novel? Using what you learned in the book, choose what you would like to research and get to it. Your research findings need to be at least a page long, either typed or hand written. Good luck and have fun with your research.
ACTIVITY 3:
The Castellana Hilton Madrid is an actual hotel. It somewhat serves as another character in the book and is the playground for rich Americans in Madrid. What are some of the ways Sepetys uses this setting to illustrate the contrast between Daniel and Ana? How do you think the hotel affected those employed there or who lived/worked nearby, especially during the 1950's? Using your knowledge of the motel as well as any information you might be able to find on the internet, make a model of this famous hotel.
The Castellana Hilton Madrid is an actual hotel. It somewhat serves as another character in the book and is the playground for rich Americans in Madrid. What are some of the ways Sepetys uses this setting to illustrate the contrast between Daniel and Ana? How do you think the hotel affected those employed there or who lived/worked nearby, especially during the 1950's? Using your knowledge of the motel as well as any information you might be able to find on the internet, make a model of this famous hotel.