Carpenter's Pencil

By Manuel Rivas

Book Overview

It is the summer of 1936, the early months of the agonising civil war that engulfs Spain and shakes the rest of the world. In a prison in the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela, an artist sketches the famous porch of the cathedral, the Portico da Gloria. He uses a carpenter's pencil. But instead of reproducing the sculptured faces of the prophets and elders, he draws the faces of his fellow Republican prisoners.

Many years later in post-Franco Spain, a survivor of that period, Doctor Daniel da Barca, returns from exile to his native Galicia, and the threads of past memories begin to be woven together. This poetic and moving novel conveys the horror and savagery of the tragedy that divided Spain, and the experiences of the men and women who lived through it. Yet in the process, it also relates one of the most beautiful love stories imaginable.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0099448467
• ISBN13: 9780099448464
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Vintage/Ebury (a Division of Random
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

REimagining human generosity and love in times of war

REimagining human generosity and love in times of war. A novel, already a classic in Spanish Literature.

Requires A Bit Of Patience

"The Carpenter's Pencil", is a wonderful short novel. There are times it becomes a bit confusing to track who or what is relating the story. However the small amount of time invested to sort out the voices is more than well rewarded. The book also contained something I had not seen before. There were two poems referenced in the book, and they were included in their entirety in appendices. One is from the 19th and the other the 13th Century. It was a pleasant change to be able to read the entire poems rather than be limited to excerpts in the main text.There are about 8-10 different players that appear. The number arrived at depends on how much you feel a character must contribute, and how they make that contribution. Must a person be present in the flesh, or can they continue to influence events after death? The book begins in a contemporary setting and then quickly returns to the story of the man a reporter has come to interview. This is when the book really shines with a love story and an unlikely cast that make the union of the two lovers possible.The primary tale of memory takes place just before, through, and finally after Franco's rule over Spain has ended. This end allows for some who were forced to flee to return home, a home that they fought for and were punished by. The brief work is really very good, for while it is brief it conveys a story that feels almost epic in its tightly written and intricate prose.A bit of effort to be sure you have the voices sorted out, and you will enjoy a wonderful novella.

Galician pride

There are as many Galicians abroad as in Spain. So now that we see one of our writers translated directly from our language into English, our pride gets a special boost. With Rivas, our literature has found its own boom. He gives a new insight to our culture, our language, and our traditions. Thanks, Jonathan Dunne, for a job well done! Graciñas, Manuel, for helping us in learning about ourselves!