A review by lizzillia
SMALL WARS IN MADRID. by ANTHONY. FERNER

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.