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lilyrooke's review
5.0
This collection of short stories had me longing to jump on a plane and head to sunny Spain. The stories explore a beautiful range of emotion, and it was so interesting to explore the culture through the eyes of an expat. As someone who has lived abroad for many years, I related very much to the experience of questioning to what extent I belonged, and how I could come to make a new city my home. A diverse range of characters and exploration of important themes like discovering ourselves and finding a home make Snapshots of Spain a must-read.
I am grateful to the author for providing me with an ARC. These opinions are my own.
I am grateful to the author for providing me with an ARC. These opinions are my own.
gee_reads_books's review
5.0
What a wonderful collection of short stories this was! Dani J. Norwell is an author you definitely don't want to miss out, whether you enjoy the genre or not. I myself am rarely a fan of short stories; and yet, "Snapshots of Spain" had me turning pages like very few books have ever managed to. Dani's prose was beautiful, elegant in its simplicity, and exquisite, turning reading into a blessing. We have a very diverse cast of characters, ranging from a todler to a 67-year-old expact woman, and a very colourful array of situations and plots. Each of them felt so real and so vivid, I can still recall all the emotions they made me feel.
Also, as a Spaniard, I couldn't have felt more head over heels about this love letter to my homeland! Spain is very diverse in its traditions, depending on where you go; and although Dani chose very different locations that are sometimes polar opposites in more than one thing, she did an absolutely phenomenal job. I could practically see myself in Valencia again, or walking the streets of Santiago de Compostela, or sitting in the café in Torremolinos... An absolute delight! Far from falling into stereotypes or being unsufficiently informed, Dani has turned this into a perfect sneak peek at Spain. There were details that were extremely authentic and "castizos", too, such as the reference to the Cataluña conflict, the mention of valenciano, or the references to the very intimate and life-changing experience that is arriving in Santiago de Compostela after the Way. If you've ever heard of Spain and wanted to know more, this book is a great way to do so!
Couldn't be happier that someone this talented has decided to write about my country! Everyone, stop whatever it is you're doing and come celebrate "Snapshots of Spain"!
Also, as a Spaniard, I couldn't have felt more head over heels about this love letter to my homeland! Spain is very diverse in its traditions, depending on where you go; and although Dani chose very different locations that are sometimes polar opposites in more than one thing, she did an absolutely phenomenal job. I could practically see myself in Valencia again, or walking the streets of Santiago de Compostela, or sitting in the café in Torremolinos... An absolute delight! Far from falling into stereotypes or being unsufficiently informed, Dani has turned this into a perfect sneak peek at Spain. There were details that were extremely authentic and "castizos", too, such as the reference to the Cataluña conflict, the mention of valenciano, or the references to the very intimate and life-changing experience that is arriving in Santiago de Compostela after the Way. If you've ever heard of Spain and wanted to know more, this book is a great way to do so!
Couldn't be happier that someone this talented has decided to write about my country! Everyone, stop whatever it is you're doing and come celebrate "Snapshots of Spain"!
septimasnape's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
When I get offered to review a book by a tiny publisher or a self-published author, I always think twice, cause more often than not you get coal instead of a diamond.
In this case I didn't think at all, I basically jumped on the chance to read this and I am so glad I did.
This book is a collection of short stories all set, more or less, in Spain. It deals with a myriad of different topics and issues and a lot of these stories will stay with me for a long time to come. Some made me laugh, some made me cry and some just hit so hard I had to take a break from reading.
It comes out on the 22nd of September and you are a fool if you pass this up.
Some stories contain the topic of our beloved rona, so if you are sensitive to that, be aware.
In this case I didn't think at all, I basically jumped on the chance to read this and I am so glad I did.
This book is a collection of short stories all set, more or less, in Spain. It deals with a myriad of different topics and issues and a lot of these stories will stay with me for a long time to come. Some made me laugh, some made me cry and some just hit so hard I had to take a break from reading.
It comes out on the 22nd of September and you are a fool if you pass this up.
Some stories contain the topic of our beloved rona, so if you are sensitive to that, be aware.
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