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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
Homeland is a family saga which gravitates around two Basque women at the height of ETA’s activity during the end of the last century stretching into the 2000s and the peace and disillusion of the party that followed. I’m not Basque or Spanish and what I know of the conflict comes from a Basque friend and some Googling so I won’t comment on that - and in a way, neither does this book. Whilst Homeland’s title is evocative of the heart of the struggle, the story is a hearth and home tale of the impact ETA had on family, the relationships it transformed and the ties that formed as a result of the struggle.
The main characters, Miren and Bittori, are mirror images of one another. In the paths of their lives - marriage, children, ups, downs, they are so similar. The one insurmountable difference which occurs almost overnight is a political divide. Miren’s son is a member of ETA. Bittori’s husband is a target. The friendship which was once so strong is broken, and the fall out of this lead to a fateful day where an action is taken which can never be reversed. This shakes the lives of the two families for decades; seeping into every element from love to family to work to home.
This is an extremely human tale, written without sentiment but with a lot of honest humanity. The author doesn’t seem outwardly to side with one or another (although I was not left with any goodwill towards Miren’s son by the final chapters, despite introspection on his part later in the novel). Something which I found charming was the look into Basque life this novel offers - the cyclotourism, mountains, pagoeta, windows wide whilst fish cooks in small apartments, berets...the list goes on and on. It’s a glimpse into a world which is in a way enclosed, unique and without comparison (Basque is a language without root - unlike almost every other language in the world, and the Basque people seem the same to me, of their own making and no other). The author does hold a tremendous affection for Basque culture and it comes through every page.
By the end I had lived a lifetime with these characters, and yet still felt eager for more. A wonderful, insightful and beautifully written novel.
The main characters, Miren and Bittori, are mirror images of one another. In the paths of their lives - marriage, children, ups, downs, they are so similar. The one insurmountable difference which occurs almost overnight is a political divide. Miren’s son is a member of ETA. Bittori’s husband is a target. The friendship which was once so strong is broken, and the fall out of this lead to a fateful day where an action is taken which can never be reversed. This shakes the lives of the two families for decades; seeping into every element from love to family to work to home.
This is an extremely human tale, written without sentiment but with a lot of honest humanity. The author doesn’t seem outwardly to side with one or another (although I was not left with any goodwill towards Miren’s son by the final chapters, despite introspection on his part later in the novel). Something which I found charming was the look into Basque life this novel offers - the cyclotourism, mountains, pagoeta, windows wide whilst fish cooks in small apartments, berets...the list goes on and on. It’s a glimpse into a world which is in a way enclosed, unique and without comparison (Basque is a language without root - unlike almost every other language in the world, and the Basque people seem the same to me, of their own making and no other). The author does hold a tremendous affection for Basque culture and it comes through every page.
By the end I had lived a lifetime with these characters, and yet still felt eager for more. A wonderful, insightful and beautifully written novel.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Homeland is the story of two families in a Basque village. It toggles back and forth in time, illuminating the enmity between members of multiple generations and hinting at a once and future closeness.
Although it hinges on a particular ekintza, or attack, by members of the paramilitary organization Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), its true protagonists are the matriarchs of these families, spiteful Miren and grief-stricken Bittori, as well as their daughters, Arantxa and Nerea.
Not an easy read but a rewarding one. Worth the effort to untangle the complex plotting and relationships and a fascinating insight into this aspect of Spain’s history. Great boo
Although it hinges on a particular ekintza, or attack, by members of the paramilitary organization Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), its true protagonists are the matriarchs of these families, spiteful Miren and grief-stricken Bittori, as well as their daughters, Arantxa and Nerea.
Not an easy read but a rewarding one. Worth the effort to untangle the complex plotting and relationships and a fascinating insight into this aspect of Spain’s history. Great boo
Un viaje por el rencor y la esperanza narrado desde diferentes puntos de vista. El conflicto vasco tratado de una forma elegante y realista, o por lo menos así lo parece, con interludios de folletín y cotilleo puro, que ayudan a situar a las dos familias protagonistas en la España de finales del siglo XX y principios del XXI. Es una novela muy extensa, pero vale mucho la pena.
O autor consegue contar de forma cativante várias camadas de narrativa ao mesmo tempo: de um lado, a história de várias personagens e o seu ponto de vista, mas também a história da ETA e o momento da política espanhola que serve de pano de fundo. Fiquei a conhecer melhor esta realidade tão próxima, o que só por si seria um excelente motivo para ler este livro. Mas, para além disso, o que mais me interessou foi mesmo a facilidade do autor em transmitir esta polifonia de vozes, o conflito, o sofrimento e a luta interna de todas e de cada uma das personagens envolvidas. Só achei difícil entrar no ritmo do livro tendo em conta a grande dispersão cronológica: ao início de cada capítulo, era difícil situar-me no tempo e espaço, mas foi algo que foi ficando cada mais fácil à medida que ia lendo. Um bónus para mim foi quando, a certa altura, o autor conseguiu explicar, de forma indireta - e brilhante - o porquê de se ter dado ao trabalho de escrever sobre este tema, imiscuindo-se como uma personagem passageira do seu próprio livro que quase passa despercebida. O final é previsível, mas reconfortante, de certa forma, um final feliz. Recomendo muito!
4,5 tähteä. Suurten tunteiden lukuromaani. Kaunis, koskettava ja surullinen.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Las diferentes voces hacen de ‘Patria’ una novela coral bastante acertada para entender y acercarse al conflicto vasco, sin embargo, personalmente, he echado de menos unas nociones teóricas básicas sobre el origen de ETA. Como punto negativo diría que a la novela le sobran algunas páginas que no aportaban mucho al desarrollo de los personajes pero, por lo demás, y en general, es una buena historia.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated