How about The Shadow of the Wind?

Summer of the Spanish Woman by Catherine Gaskin is set in Spain, and as I remember it, it was an easy read. Isn't Name of the Rose set in Spain as well? NOT an easy read.

If she is looking for a lighter read, I recommend Chris Stewart's "Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia". I found it quite entertaining in terms of someone relocating to an out of the way village and all the cultural clashes that ensue. It's rather in the same vein as the Peter Mayle books about southern France.

Mary

Thanks for these suggestions. I haven't read anything by Arturo Perez-Reverte, but would his work qualify? Anything particularly worth recommending?

Russ

A Woman Unknown; Voices of a Spanish Life a memoir/travelogue written by Lucia Graves who grew up in Franco's Spain. She is the daughter of Robert Graves and the translator of the aforementioned Shadow of the Wind .

Is James Michener's Iberia still in print?

Isn't Name of the Rose set in Spain as well? NOT an easy read.

no it is set somewhere in Tuscany or Abruzzo I don't remeber , here in Italy anyway

grelobe

I think most of Perez-Reverte's books are set in Spain. The two notable ones that come to mind as not being set in Spain are Queen of the South and The Club Dumas. Well, parts of those books occur in Spain but quite a lot of the action happens somewhere else.

And yes, Shadow of the Wind would be my recommendation as well.

FYI: they have Shadow of the Wind tours in Barcelona now. If you've read the book, it might be of interest. Related link below

Here is a link that might be useful: Shadow of the Wind tour

Oh, I'd definitely recommend Perez-Reverte! I also know I have somewhere on my shelves a novel about Alhambra (a place I have wanted to visit for a long time) - can't find it yet tho.

>they have Shadow of the Wind tours in Barcelona now

What!? They've found the Cemetary of the Forgotten Book? Oh, I am so there... :)

>A Woman Unknown; Voices of a Spanish Life a memoir/travelogue written by Lucia Graves who grew up in Franco's Spain. She is the daughter of Robert Graves and the translator of the aforementioned Shadow of the Wind .

Adding this to my reading list....

Perez-Reverte is wonderful. My favorite of his is The Flanders Panel, also set in Spain. I'll second the recommendations for Shadow of the Wind and Driving Over Lemons, too. Though completely different from each other, both are very engaging.

Second, or third, Perez-Reverte.

Certainly encourage your mother to check out the Alhambra and the Gereralife (the gardens there). Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving is fun. I bought my copy there.

I haven't been to Spain for many a long year, but I do remember reading Iberia (well, parts of it anyhow) before going and loved the description of the mesons (sp?) off the Plaza Mayor. These are cellar and cave bars with music and Sangria and nibbles. I checked them out and had a wonderful time. If your mother isn't into drinking and singing she still might find find some guidance in the novel.

But honestly, I always answer this question for myself by going to Rick Steves reading list for his tours. To get one ready for a trip, he includes fiction, non-fiction, movies and music.

Here is a link that might be useful: Recommended books and videos - Spain and Portugal

Iberia most definitely. Also Death in the Afternoon and The Dangerous Summer by Hemingway. Spain is one of my favorite countries to visit. I just found out that I have a business trip to Madrid in May, and I am planning a vacation around it.