Launching our fall season on Tuesday 7 September, member Christopher North will be presenting some of his favourite unusual books about Spain.
Here’s what he has to say to whet your appetite:
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“There is the story of a beautiful young model from the US sent to Madrid as a spy looking into communications between Himmler and Franco, who, after an affair with a bullfighter, met a Conde of vast but unvisited estates in Extremadura, married him then set about restoring one managed by a man named ‘Primitivo’....
“There is the journal of William Wordsworth’s beloved daughter which describes her visit in 1849 to the Alhambra....
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“There is the story of a photographer from East of London who became involved with the Flamenco gypsies of Cadiz and ‘The Bold Strummer’ Press published his book about his experiences in 1964....
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“And the story of an antique village in Andalucia recounted in the voices of the inhabitants — the village’s name concealed in the book, but to be revealed in my talk.
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“Unusual books — and there are many thousands of them, Spain is such a rich source of material.
I will list more recommendations — but bring along yours: not Giles Tremlett, Gerald Brenan, Chris Stewart or Jason Webster, but something that will surprise.”