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Winter in Madrid
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
Fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafn's The Shadow of the Wind and Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong will fall in love with Winter in Madrid, the arresting novel from C.J. Sansom. In September 1940, the Spanish Civil War is over and Madrid lies in ruins while the Germans continue their march through Europe. Britain stands alone as General Franco considers whether to abandon neutrality and enter the war. Into this uncertain world comes Harry Brett, a privileged young man who was recently traumatized by his experience in Dunkirk and is now a reluctant spy for the British Secret Service. Sent to gain the confidence of Sandy Forsyth, an old school friend turned shadowy Madrid businessman, Brett finds himself involved in a dangerous game and surrounded by memories. Meanwhile, Sandy's girlfriend, ex-Red Cross nurse Barbara Clare, is engaged in a secret mission of her own. A vivid and haunting depiction of wartime Spain, Winter in Madrid is an intimate and riveting tale that offers a remarkable sense of history unfolding, and reveals the profound impact of impossible choices. From the Trade Paperback edition.
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review
AnneCecilie
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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Pickpick

Madrid 1940, what everyone wants to know is if Franco will join the war on Hitler‘s side. Into this British Intelligence sends Harry to spy on his old school friend Sandy. Sandy has discovered gold which Franco is desperate for.

Being in Madrid, has Harry thinking about a trip he and another classmate, Bernie, made in 1931. We also gets Bernie‘s story from 1937.

Naturally, a book about war and its consequences and how people try to survive.

AnneCecilie #foodandlit #Spain @Texreader @Catsandbooks I‘m so happy that this challenge “made” me read a book I bought in 2009 6mo
Texreader Oh I have this book and love this author! I need to read it! 6mo
Crazeedi I've enjoyed this authors books. Stacking 6mo
Catsandbooks Yay! 🇪🇸👏🏼 6mo
56 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Texreader
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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Day 14: I‘m following the idea to post a book from my tbr list from @StaceyKondla and @Cortg

No description or reason for wanting to read it is necessary if you want to join along. #tbrpile

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MelHopton
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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Mehso-so

Slow burner that got exciting by the end. Lots of historical context (as I have come to expect from CJ Sanson). Irritatingly straightforward (tragic) female lead who only exists through the male gaze. I cared about her but she only exists to enhance the main character. Didn't care about him much by the end.

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Oblomov26
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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A thriller from the author of the Shardlake series set in Madrid 1940, after the Civil War and while the WW2 rages in the rest of Europe as a British Spy is entangled in both government and personal plots. Not a great thriller, but enjoyable for the picture it paints of a Spain beaten down by war, divided by previous allegiances, seeking a way to progress into an uncertain future, be it to remain neutral or to join the Fascist movement.

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TrishB
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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#awinterstale #winterwonderland
A winters search on my kindle. I‘ve read two and loved A Place Called Winter 💕

Blueberry A Place Called Winter was soo good. 6y
TrishB @Blueberry it certainly was 💜 6y
Cinfhen I‘m not familiar with any of the titles except for 6y
See All 11 Comments
TrishB @Cinfhen of course - I haven‘t read that one yet 😁 6y
Cinfhen It looks good, Trish ! I‘ll wait for your review 6y
AlaMich I enjoyed Winter In Madrid. It rang all my bells: WWII, Spanish Civil War, espionage...😊 6y
TrishB @AlaMich ohh that‘s a good recommendation! 6y
Cathythoughts I see A Place Called Winter is by Patrick Gale 💫👍🏻stacking 6y
Cathythoughts I already have on my kindle ..... calm down & breath ..... 😑 6y
TrishB @Cathythoughts 👍🏻 I loved this one! 6y
Balibee146 I have Winter Loon... I preordered it apparently lol 😂 6y
126 likes2 stack adds11 comments
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MandaChittles
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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Lifeline Bookfest Book haul. A couple from Madrid - my last home city and a few that have been on my ‘to read‘ list for far too long! #needmoretime #yearofthechunkster

Cinfhen Pretty spines 💗great haul 7y
Libby1 Winter in Madrid is really good. 7y
See All 7 Comments
ReadingOver50 Owen Meany was amazing! 7y
MandaChittles @ReadingOver50 - better than Garp? 7y
Joanne1 That is an awesome book haul. 7y
AmyG @MandaChittles YES...better than Garp. 7y
67 likes7 comments
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Cathythoughts
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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Just to say this book recently mentioned by @Andrew65 is on kindle for 99p now 👍just purchased.

Libby1 It‘s good! 7y
Cathythoughts @libby1 Oh good to hear. It looks & sounds very promising 👍 (edited) 7y
TrishB I think we should start a #99ponkindle 😀😀 7y
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Cathythoughts I think that's a good idea @TrishB 👍 7y
TrishB I have of course now brought it..... 7y
Cathythoughts @TrishB ofcorse ! I Bought goodbye vitamin #99ponkindle yesterday ! There is no end to this 🙄 7y
Andrew65 @Cathythoughts @TrishB A veritable bargain, I wonder how big our Kindle libraries are! They don't hit you in the face as much as the physical libraries! Hope you both enjoy the book. 7y
Cathythoughts Thanks @Andrew65 I'm fascinated how we discover books. I'll let you know when I get to it. 👍 7y
TrishB @Andrew65 Thete would be no room in the house if my kindle tbr was physical! 7y
Andrew65 @TrishB Think this could apply to a lot of us. 7y
30 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Andrew65
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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How can you go wrong with C. J. Sansom! #uncannyOctober #ACityintheTitle

Libby1 This is a good one. I really like his books. 7y
Andrew65 @Libby1 He is an excellent writer. 7y
Cathythoughts This looks like a good one . Stacking 👍 7y
Cathythoughts I just bought this. 99p on kindle 👍👍❤️ 7y
Andrew65 @Cathythoughts 😊 In the words of Men at Work, 'are you trying to tempt me, because I come from the land of plenty'. Love that song (Down Under). 7y
43 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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candc320
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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It is amazing how quickly I can find a bookstore no matter where I go (I know you guys can relate)! The store where I found these beauties was in tiny little Tarpon Springs, FL. right next to the video game museum we took our son too. And I got both for only $3!!!

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AnneCecilie
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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The books I found with a season in the title. #marchintoreading

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Libby1
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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This was a very good book that could have been great.

Set in Madrid 1940, just after the Spanish Civil War, the reader is shown the harsh realities of life in Franco's Spain.

Sansom is a master of historical detail, and, probably, authenticity (as I know little about the time of the Spanish Civil War I can't confirm this.) However, I wish he'd spent a little more time drawing in some of his characters.

Texreader I got this one for Christmas! Looking forward to reading it 8y
Libby1 Great, @Texreader ! I'm a big fan of Sansom's books. They're always the size of bricks but so historically detailed. Have you read any of his books before? 8y
Texreader @Libby1 I've read all the Shardlake books which is why I asked for his "more modern" books for Christmas. ❤️ Shardlake books! 8y
Libby1 So do I, @Texreader . Have you read Dominion? I loved that one. 8y
47 likes4 comments
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Libby1
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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I've missed you, Littens!

My little boy has been on a break from school this week so I've not been able to read very much. I did get a bit of time to read today with this reading buddy.

How gorgeous is she?

#CatsOfLitsy

Reviewsbylola 😻😻 8y
rubyslippersreads Lovely girl! 😻 8y
DivineDiana Very gorgeous! 8y
See All 11 Comments
8little_paws Pretty baby 💜 8y
DebinHawaii 🐱❤️ 8y
Laura317 😻😻😻 8y
Mariposa_Bookworm Those eyes are gorgeous! 8y
RusskayaChica Super gorgeous 😻❤️😻❤️ 8y
CherylDeFranceschi ❤️😻 8y
Libby1 Thanks, @RusskayaChica and @CherylDeFranceschi . My two Illinois based, cat loving Litsy friends! 8y
52 likes11 comments
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Libby1
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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I used to live in Croydon and love to see it mentioned in books.

I have a soft spot for places that people look down upon; like Croydon.

❤ Croydon ❤

KarenUK My mum was born there 💕 8y
DeborahSmall My aunt lived in Croydon for years. I used to think we visited London every year but it was Croydon. I loved it in the summer as kids were allowed into pubs for lunch. Not allowed in Glasgow at that time. 💕 8y
Libby1 I love Croydon, @KarenUK . Have you visited it or ever lived there? 8y
Libby1 Croydon is so convenient for London, isn't it, @DeborahSmall ? It has a great feel to it. How funny what you remember about the pubs. I grew up in a very conservative, non-drinking American setting, so it took awhile for me to get over feeling guilty about going to a pub. I'm not a drinker (I'd rather use my calories on chocolate), but I'm TOTALLY over that now! 8y
KarenUK @libby1 visited many times, my great grandparents lived there until I was about 14.... never lived there but lived in South London until I moved to FL in 2005..... 💕 8y
54 likes5 comments
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bookishlove31
Winter in Madrid | C. J. Sansom
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It's been a few years that I've read this book but I remember that I loved it very much and gave it 10/10* It has everything: likable & unlikable characters, history (Spain in the 1940's), politics, suspense and a love-story that is not overwhelming the main plot. As always Sansom writes well & relatable. One feels the cold, the poverty & the desperation of people after a war & on the brink of another one. But also hope & humor and a bit of love.

2 likes1 stack add