Las fuentes del silencio [The Sources of Silence]

De: Ruta Sepetys

Narrado por: Maite Jáuregui

La autora de Lágrimas en el mar y Entre tonos de gris regresa con un extraordinario y cautivante relato de amor, silencio y secretos situado en la época de la dictadura de Franco en España.

Madrid, 1957. Bajo la dictadura fascista del General Francisco Franco, España esconde un oscuro secreto. Entre los empresarios y turistas extranjeros que llegan al país con la acogedora promesa del sol y del buen vino se encuentra Daniel Matheson, hijo de un magnate petrolero de Texas que llega a Madrid con sus padres a los dieciocho años con la esperanza de conocer la patria de su madre a través del lente de su cámara fotográfica. La fotografía—y el destino—lo llevan a conocer a Ana, cuya familia enfrenta obstáculos que revelan las consecuencias de la reciente Guerra Civil Española y las escalofriantes repercusiones de la fortuna y el miedo. Las fotografías de Daniel lo dejan con preguntas incómodas entre acechantes peligros y se ve acorralado, teniendo que tomar decisiones difíciles para proteger a los que ama. Las vidas y los sentimientos acaban enfrentándose, revelando el lado más oscuro de la soleada ciudad de Madrid.

La gran narradora Ruta Sepetys vuelve a arrojar luz en uno de los rincones más oscuros de la historia reciente en esta épica y desgarradora novela sobre la identidad, el amor inolvidable, las repercusiones de la guerra y la violencia oculta tras el silencio, inspirada por los conflictos reales de la España en postguerra.

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

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.

"This gripping, often haunting historical novel offers a memorable portrait of fascist Spain."—Publishers Weekly, *STARRED REVIEW*

Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish.

©2020 Ruta Sepetys (P)2020 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"España bajo Francisco Franco es un escenario distópico...en la romántica y oportuna nueva novela histórica de Ruta Sepetys.... Las fuentes del silencio enfrenta al poder con la verdad, persuadiendo a futuros gobernantes que eviten repetir los crímenes del pasado." (New York Times Book Review)

"Lleno de giros y revelaciones…una historia excelente y oportuna." (The Wall Street Journal)

"Una asombrosa historia de amor, pérdida y deshonra nacional." (Entertainment Weekly)

Outstanding! Excelente!

I first listened to the original English version and have recommended it to numerous friends. I just finished the Spanish version. I lived in Spain for 7 years as a teenager during the 1960s, not long after the setting of this novel. Franco was still alive and living under a dictatorship, as a young American, it felt safe… as long as you watched what you did and said. This story opened my eyes to what lay below the surface, There was so much that people didn’t talk about then or now. Once I started Googling, I have so many questions to ask my Spanish and international expat friends. There is so much that was never spoken of. We lived through an era when atrocities were still happening, yet 60 years later, there is still so much silence. Historical fiction opens the door to learning the truths. Ruta Sepetys has opened the door and I hope many readers go through to discover the truths.

Maite Jauregui’s Spanish performance is wonderful. The translation was very well done and I recommend either version.

This book is suitable for teens through adults and I believe it should be required reading in High School, particularly all American and International schools in Spain, and then used as an opening to discovery, fact finding and open discussion. The effects of war often hide in the silence.