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pawswithabook's review
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
When David Aguilera loses a vessel under his command, and faces scrutiny under investigation, his life begins to collapse around him.
Exploring identity and purpose…what defines us as human, this character based novel examines the importance of belonging and connection.
I loved the premise of this book, and was excited to read this proof. However, for most of the book I struggled to feel immersed and felt on the periphery. I think a lot of this was because there was insufficient context around the political and external setting, with an assumption it was already known. I felt like a lot passed me by.
I also didn’t feel a great expression of emotion or feeling, and where the writing lacked in description of the setting, it was a little heavy in how it spelled out David’s thoughts (often through the overly simplified dialogue between characters) leaving little to the readers imagination. It was more matter of fact than emotive and engaging.
There were lots of ideas dangled and not fully explored, especially around the theme of identity, and whilst I think the premise was great and had a lot of potential I’m not certain it fully translated into execution.
Exploring identity and purpose…what defines us as human, this character based novel examines the importance of belonging and connection.
I loved the premise of this book, and was excited to read this proof. However, for most of the book I struggled to feel immersed and felt on the periphery. I think a lot of this was because there was insufficient context around the political and external setting, with an assumption it was already known. I felt like a lot passed me by.
I also didn’t feel a great expression of emotion or feeling, and where the writing lacked in description of the setting, it was a little heavy in how it spelled out David’s thoughts (often through the overly simplified dialogue between characters) leaving little to the readers imagination. It was more matter of fact than emotive and engaging.
There were lots of ideas dangled and not fully explored, especially around the theme of identity, and whilst I think the premise was great and had a lot of potential I’m not certain it fully translated into execution.
inkreads's review
challenging
medium-paced
5.0
A short read, but one that wrenched my heart from its moorings and set it adrift. Survivor guilt, normative crises, disconnection and finding a way forward
David Aguilera is adrift in life. His vessel was lost tragically at sea and he was the only survivor. The trauma of the accident, the perilous journey home and the stress of the looming inquiry keeps David on a type of autopilot, disconnected, overwhelmed. His wife and children are staying with friends and he is so very lost. David needs to anchor himself, to rebalance and in order to do so, seeks solace with his closest friends and adoptive mother who encourage him to regain control over his own destiny
There is so much to relate to and empathise with in this book and it is a story that will take you from one extreme of emotions to the other. It is beautifully written with a poetic narrative and as difficult as it was in places, as a reader, you want to keep going for the HEA
A stunning novel of endurance and fortitude in the face of adversity
Thank you to Netgalley, Fairlight Books and Anthony Ferner for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
David Aguilera is adrift in life. His vessel was lost tragically at sea and he was the only survivor. The trauma of the accident, the perilous journey home and the stress of the looming inquiry keeps David on a type of autopilot, disconnected, overwhelmed. His wife and children are staying with friends and he is so very lost. David needs to anchor himself, to rebalance and in order to do so, seeks solace with his closest friends and adoptive mother who encourage him to regain control over his own destiny
There is so much to relate to and empathise with in this book and it is a story that will take you from one extreme of emotions to the other. It is beautifully written with a poetic narrative and as difficult as it was in places, as a reader, you want to keep going for the HEA
A stunning novel of endurance and fortitude in the face of adversity
Thank you to Netgalley, Fairlight Books and Anthony Ferner for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
whatellisreadnext's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I really need to see more people yelling about these Fairlight moderns, I've read two so far, and they've both been wins.
Small Wars in Madrid follows David as he battles with his demons after losing his entire crew at sea. He had it all until he didn't. He's come back and is struggling to deal with his feelings, creating cracks between him and his wife. He also recently found out he was adopted having been brought up Catholic, and he now finds out his birth mother is Jewish. He is struggling with his identity. He doesn't feel Jewish enough or Catholic enough. He is self-destructive and making mistakes. This story really surprised me because usually I struggle with stories based in or around warfare. It was just so human and really, really interesting. A joy to read.
Small Wars in Madrid follows David as he battles with his demons after losing his entire crew at sea. He had it all until he didn't. He's come back and is struggling to deal with his feelings, creating cracks between him and his wife. He also recently found out he was adopted having been brought up Catholic, and he now finds out his birth mother is Jewish. He is struggling with his identity. He doesn't feel Jewish enough or Catholic enough. He is self-destructive and making mistakes. This story really surprised me because usually I struggle with stories based in or around warfare. It was just so human and really, really interesting. A joy to read.
lizzillia's review
4.25
Published 14 March 2024. This is a short novel about a man almost on a voyage of self discovery after a traumatic incident. David Aguilera had thought that he was a man who had everything - career, wife, family. He was a man who knew his place in life. But after the devastating loss of the vessel that he was captain of and a perilous journey across the Baltics he now finds that he is unable to reconnect with his wife, his family. His career also seems to be in tatters as he has to face an inquiry into the incident. Added to this is his confusion about his identity. As an infant he was adopted and brought up to be a Catholic. However, his birth mother was Jewish and so there is a conflict in his about his identity, especially as his wife is Jewish. As a character, I liked David and wanted him to resolve all of his issues. I could understand and sympathise with his survivor's guilt after the loss of the vessel, I could understand why he kept the details of the incident and the dangers that he faced on his trek to safety locked inside him. But there were times when I just wanted him to talk to his wife who comes across as a woman who is steadfast in her love for him. In fact Margalit is a super character, passionate and loyal. A very good read as we watch David find his way home.
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