I probably would not have read this book had I not won it and I probably would not have won it had I not read Rachel’s review of it.
Now it is your turn.
Rachel’s thoughtful essay about Stone in a Landslide brought a book I might not have ever known about to my attention and the intriguing “conversation” that followed by way of the comments was insightful and informative about book translations. This is what blogging can do when the right chord is struck, a provocative question raised, and a respectful and inquisitive dialogue is opened up. I will leave you to read Rachel’s review and the comments that followed by leading you here.
Stone in a Landslide by Maria Barbal is a beautifully executed story of the life of Conxa, who is sent to live with her childless aunt and uncle at the age of 13. It is Conxa’s story; a life of hard work, life in the Pyrenees through the first half of the 20th century, love and loss, the Spanish Civil war, and of the passage of time and a way of life. It is so simply told in Conxa’s voice and makes it such a beautiful story that spans some 80 years, even though the book istself is only 126 pages. It opens simply.
Anyone could see that there were a lot of us at home. I was the fifth of six children – Mother used to say I was there because God wanted me to be there and you have to take what He sends you.
Reading the book made me wonder about the story told in its original Catalan. How lovely the words must flow in the book’s native language and how lyrical I think the original must be. I found myself wondering about the Catalan region, the Pyrenees, the Spanish Civil War and how little I know about this place and this time in history. I thought about Conxa and her life, simple and punctuated with hard work and few choices, especially for a woman of her place and time. I thought about her spirit and about a life in which we are not always given choices and about how what we do with what we are dealt defines us sometimes more than what happens to us. I thought about Conxa and about the author, Maria Barbal, about whom I know only what the book’s jacket tells me and I thought about how I would like to learn more about her. I also thought about book translations and just now, as I was preparing to write, I noticed that the translators are acknowledged in the book flap. Have I just not noticed this before – or is it that I haven’t read all that many books that have been translated by others?
I learned much about a simple life and about a region unfamiliar to me when I read Stone in a Landslide and I want you to have a chance to do the same. From the moment I opened the book’s cover and read the first lines I knew Stone in a Landslide was not mine to keep but, instead, a book to pass forward, to share and let someone else experience. To enter, put your name, first name or tag name is fine, into the comment section and I will put your name into the “hat” . I’ll have antler man draw a winner and I will let you know where the book is going next. Deadline is Friday, August 20, 11:59 pm. I’ll let you know the winner shortly thereafter. I will mail the book to whoever wins, wherever that may live. Until then, I will leave you with the last line of the book, which doesn’t give away the plot.
Barcelona, for me, is something very beautiful. It is the last step before the cemetery. Conxa
It sounds like a wonderful book. I am always intrigued by people of other times and places. I will add it to my list to try when I get off of this L.M. Montgomery kick. Thanks for sharing the review.
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You’re in!
It is really a short and interesting read. I love to learn something knew and this did this for me just when I needed to stretch my brain a little. Stay on L.M. Montgomery for a while . You will know when to move on. I once spent an inordinate amount of time learning and reading all things Tasha Tudor. I still go back now and again to say hello to all I have of her.
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Ah Barcelona! The proud Catalans. I remember reading somewhere..that Franco pronounced celebrations at ..was it 25 (not sure just now) years of freedom. The Catalans said..not years of freedom..25 years of dominance. I have come to see this as the basic problem in the world..one people dominating another…in the end it never works does it. If only we could learn to honour each other ..
this sounds and interesting little book Penny.
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I have just read Rachel’s review. Thank you Penny for the link. Between the two of you >>I will be on the lookout for this little book. I often wonder about translations when reading. But if monolingual as I am I just have to accept what comes. Would it not be wonderful to read in other languages. Films too. I am expert at sub-titles and after such a movie I come out hearing in my head only English dialogue..and wondering how much I have missed. Thank you Penny.
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You know more than I about Spain and the Catalans, Joan. I love that books can introduce us to so much more than what we already know. I agree with you. We do so need to honor one another.
I’m glad you read Rachel’s review (isn’t she great?). I grew up in a bilingual home and learned a second language as a child. How I wish I had kept it up, for I remember little. I do the same with foreign files.
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Put my name in the hat for the book Penny! Your review definitely has me interested.
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Your name is in! Slowly working my way through what should have been a quick read, but, loving Durango just the same. I’ve been too busy lately – a good busy. I think you would appreciate the narrative of this book.
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Thank you for your kind words Penny! It was such a pleasure to be able to pass this lovely book on to you. I’m delighted you enjoyed it and I hope the person who receives it next will equally enjoy it!
I really appreciated your point about how our lives are not defined by the limited choices we may receive, but by the way we deal with those choices and make the best of them. I think if more people lived life like that, rather than bemoaning the hands they had been dealt, there would be a lot more happiness in the world.
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I’m sure that the next reader will enjoy it as well, Rachel. Some day I know I will look between the covers of other of Barbal’s books.
I believe you are right on here, Rachel. My Aunt Christina (of paper cookies) would say have a good cry, be sad for awhile, move on.
Thank you for bringing so many good books to light.
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[…] forget to let me know if you want your name in the hat to win Stone in a Landslide. Click here for more […]
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[…] well, not so much a landslide. Congratulations to Janet, aka Country Mouse and Fishin’ Pals. Stone in a Landslide will be rolling happily your way via the USP sometime this week, […]
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