In this first time trip to Spain we will be visiting Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Granada and Barcelona, as well as Gibraltar.
What novels and/or movies would you recommend for us in advance of our trip?
I just finished reading Origin by Dan Brown, excellent with action in Madrid and Barcelona, among others, and, years ago, we saw the movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona, set in that city.
Winter in Madrid by C. J. Sansom. The novel gives a good exposition of the Spanish Civil War. It's filled with historical facts and fictional drama.
A Dangerous Place, by Jacqueline Winspear. It takes place in Gibraltar in 1937.
How about Captain's Paradise with Alec Guiness. 1953 but lots of fun !
James Michener’s Iberia. It’s an exploration of Spain as it was in the 60s. If you were walking the Camino then I’d say watch “The Way.”
Rebecca Pawel has written mysteries set in Civil War Spain.
The Shadow of The Wind by the Spanish writer Carlos Ruiz Zafon
It is set in Barcelona. This novel has sold millions of copies world-wide.
My three favorite Almodovar movies are Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown, All About My Mother, and Volver. All of them will acclimate your ear to Spanish as it is spoken in Spain, as opposed to the very different accents found in Latin America. All About My Mother shows off Barcelona, and the other two show aspects of Madrid (in the time they were made - some parts of each movie are period pieces now).
A Spanish author published in English, Arturo Perez-Reverte. Queen of South and The Seville Communion are good and can be found at your local library.
Origin by Dan Brown.
All of these are related to Barcelona and Catalonia, my homeland:
... a few more: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/jun/08/top-10-books-barcelona-burgess
Enjoy!
I love "Barcelona" by Robert Hughes.
Zafon y Falconés are great too!
George Orwell also wrote a book entitled, “Homage to Catalonia,” which recounts the period of the Civil War.
