Der Fall von Madrid by Rafael Chirbes

I’ve been thinking for some time about further rankings. I am even working at a few.

But now I want to talk about the book I am reading right now Der Fall von Madrid by Rafael Chirbes. I have not found an English translation. Even though I read the German version and not the Spanish Original, I really do like this book. The story takes place in 1975, Franco, the dictator of post WWII is dying in an hospital. We follow the paths and thoughts of about eight people somehow related to José Ricart who on this same day celebrates his 75th birthday.

The aftermath of the Spanish Civil War between the Republicans on one side and the Socialists on the other side separate Spain’s citizens till today and will continue to haunt its people in the future.

This trench runs even between families and what I like most about this book is that Chirbes writes each person differently. A professor talks and thinks in different words than a worker. His writing is best when he writes how the wife of Ricart, who herself is in a state between sanity and madness, sees the world around her.

I can really recommend this book and would give it 9 out of 10 points.