The Spanish Bow

In a dusty, turn-of-the-century Catalan village, the bequest of a cello bow sets young Feliu Delargo on the unlikely path of becoming a musician. Anarchist Barcelona and the court of the embattled monarchy in Madrid teach him his first serious lessons in creativity, principle, and passion - and their consequences.

When he meets up with the charming and eccentric piano prodigy Justo Al-Cerraz, their lifelong friendship and rivalry orchestrate a tumultuous course for them both. Over the span of half a century of creative struggle and international turmoil that sees them paying house calls on Picasso one year and being courted by dictators the next, they make glorious music together, and clash over virtually everything else: love, politics, and the purpose of art.

When the tensions propelling a war-torn world toward catastrophe bring Aviva, an Italian violinist with a haunted past, into their lives, Feliu and Justo embark upon their final and most dangerous collaboration.

©2007 Andromeda Romano-Lax (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Impressive....for sheer scope and ambition, this is a tough debut to beat." ( Publishers Weekly)

Got a little tedious

Would you listen to The Spanish Bow again? Why?

No. I enjoyed it, but not enough to listen again.

What did you like best about this story?

Recent Spanish history wove its way through the cellist's story.

What does Paul Michael bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I thought he did well with Spanish pronunciations.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"Guy with a lot of talent is terrible at personal relationships."

A wonderful debut

6-22-08
This is a wonderful book set in Spain during the Spanish revolution for a democratic government. It is both instructive and entertaining as you follow the characters lives, the choices they made and the consequences of their choices. Paul Michael who narrates this book did a fantastic. job. This is a must for all historical novels fan.

Brava!!

This is a wonderful book for so many reasons. It's epic in its scope, yet very intimate. It's about Spain and music and genius and human nature. It's about people I cared about, places I know (Spain is my second home), about musicians and their love for their art and about other things I'm sure other readers will discover. Do read this book and if it's not too late for your decision, don't get the abridged version. You need to read every word of this great work.

Tedious

Would you try another book from Andromeda Romano-Lax and/or Paul Michael?

No

Would you ever listen to anything by Andromeda Romano-Lax again?

No

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Performance was fine

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

none

Any additional comments?

I couldn't bring myself to finish this book after slogging through 2/3 of it.