The Fountains of Silence

Starred review from July 29, 2019
Sepetys (Salt to the Sea) again deftly explores a painful chapter in history, this time Franco’s Madrid. In 1957, 18-year-old Daniel, an aspiring photojournalist from Texas, visits Spain with his Spanish mother and American oil tycoon father. After arriving, he hones his lens on the culture, in some cases capturing forbidden images that earn the wrath of the menacing Guardia Civil, and he forms a relationship with his enigmatic hotel attendant, Ana, and her family, who are barely surviving, in stark contrast to Daniel’s family’s affluence. The tension heightens as a mystery involving orphans unfolds and Daniel and Ana’s magnetic romance progresses. The novel revolves around Ana’s brother, Rafa, a bullfighting promoter; her cousin Puri, who works at an orphanage; a lecherous American ambassador; and an experienced newspaper bureau chief, who mentors Daniel. Sepetys skillfully conveys Spain’s atmosphere under Franco—who limited women’s rights and squelched rebellion—with a pervasive feeling of fear and economic oppression. Compelling primary source materials, such as memos from U.S. presidents, oral history excerpts, and even hotel brochures, precede some chapters and contextualize the narrative. This gripping, often haunting historical novel offers a memorable portrait of fascist Spain. Ages 12–up.

This harrowing yet hopeful story of young people caught in the midst of Spain's fascist regime in the 1950s is superbly rendered by Maite J�uregui and an ensemble cast. With excellent Spanish, J�uregui-- who does not sound like a native English speaker--uses her mesmerizing vocal tones and unhurried pacing to infuse the audiobook with all of its inherent pathos. The love story between aspiring photojournalist Daniel, a wealthy Texan teen visiting Madrid with his parents, and Ana, a young hotel maid who is the daughter of executed anti-fascists, slowly uncovers the terrifying underbelly of Spanish life under fascist rule. Official documents and news clips, read by the cast, set the political context. An extensive author's note, delivered by the author, rounds out this engrossing production. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine