What are your favourite books and films on Spain?

[Ben]

The question is prompted by the re-re-launch of our books and films selection (http://www.notesfromspain.com/books-and-film/).
My answers are almost certainly:

Book - Homage to Catalonia (http://www.notesfromspain.com/360/), by George Orwell
Film - Lucia y el Sexo (http://www.notesfromspain.com/348/) (for Formentera and Paz Vega ;))

How about you?

[Chiny]

Having seen a mere dozen or at most 15 Spanish films, my view may change but top of the pile to date and by a long way is Nueve Reinas. Link is to my usual DVD rental place http://www.lovefilm.com/view_dvd.php?dt_id=3093&se_id=19215951&se_off=1&se_type=title

Books... only read one :o but the high selling The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon was enjoyable.

--
Chiny

[cubix]

I;ve only seen one spanish film(in salamanca) and it had subtitles, but it was very odd.

Malas Temporadas, it seems like they ran out of money and the story just ends..

[timg]

Not sure about favourite book - I haven't read that many Spanish books. I've started El Quijote a couple of times (like most people, I expect) and really enjoyed Los Santos Inocentes de Miguel Delibes.
As for films - one that I always enjoy is El Milagro de P. Tinto. I also really enjoyed Nueve Reinas, Intacto, La Lista de Espera, Tesis and Abre los Ojos. I guess it all depends on my mood as to what I prefer at the time. I just wish we had more opportunity to see Spanish films here (UK). We get the occasional ones (mainly Almodóvar and Amenábar), but nothing like the quantity of Bollywood films. Our local multiplex always has a featured Bollywood movie. I just wish they did a similar thing with other foreign (ie non-Hollywood) films (Spanish, European or whatever). hey ho

[lumpsuckerpig]

I realise that this bit of the forum is really only for Spanish books, however three English books written about Spanish life etc which I have read recently which I became engrossed in and really liked were, two Chris Stewart books, Driving Over Lemons and A Parrott In The Pepper Tree, and a book by Polly Evans called It's Not About The Tapas. All a good read and hugely enjoyable. Someone gave me Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens recently, translated into Spanish and I keep having a go at that, but to be honest its a bit of a heavy read and I need something smaller and more entertaining.

[timg]

I got La Luz Fantástica (The Light Fantastic) by Terry Pratchett from Grant and Cutler (http://www.grantandcutler.com) in London. Fairly light. Also got Harry Potter y la Piedra Filosofal (but I think I got that one in Madrid). Having seen the movie (in English of course) the book was easier to read (haven't read any of the harry potters in English).

[Ben]

I realise that this bit of the forum is really only for Spanish books,...

Don't worry, it's definitely about English books too. I prefered the first Chris Stewart book, Driving over Lemons', to the second, and definitely second the recommendation of Brenan's 'South from Granada'.

[mark.n]

Hola my favourite books are Death in the afternoon and Driving over lemons. I can't remember the number of times i have tried to read Don Quijote. On films The Motorcycle Diaries not spanish but was the first film i watch in spanish in spain so hope counts thanks

[amp]

Lucia y el Sexo was memorable, but my favourite films would be Tesis and La Luz Prodigiosa. And books? The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Ibanez) was fantastic, anything by Manuel Vazquez Montalban is worth reading, while the poetry and short stories of Jorge Luis Borges are a good challenge. (sorry, no accents)

[Ben]

I can't remember the number of times i have tried to read Don Quijote.
Am I the only one that has ever made it to the end of DQ? (In English of course :) ) Edit: I have to admit, it was hard work....

[amp]

Am I the only one that has ever made it to the end of DQ? (In English of course :) ) Edit: I have to admit, it was hard work....

No, I read it (in English also). I loved it. Pure escapism, like living in Spain was for me ....

[guapo]

well some English books that I really enjoyed were "Barcelona" by Robert Hughes and the biography "Gaudi" by Gijs Van Hensbergen.

The biography of Franco by Paul Preston is also a great way into recent Spanish history and not as heavy going as it may sound.

For books in spanish, but not necessarily from Spain, I have just read "Mi pais inventado" by Isabel Allende and would highly recommend her books, particularly if you are learning spanish as they are fairly easy to read.

For great Spanish films, I would also mention "Y tu mama tambien" and if you are a Penelope Cruz fan - "Belle Epoque".

[amp]

For great Spanish films, I would also mention "Y tu mama tambien" and if you are a Penelope Cruz fan - "Belle Epoque".

Si, Y tu Mama Tambien es buena, pero es de Mexico ....

[Polly]

I've read shorter excerpts of DQ in English, (and of course seen many film and television incarnations) but hope to tackle it for real someday soon.

I do tend to rent numerous Spanish-made, Spanish language (Latin America etc.) and bi-lingual films from Netflix these days.
My recent list of Picks & Pans include:

Picks
Todo Sobre mi madre / About My Mother (1999)
(Spanish w/English subtitles)
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Cecila Roth, Penelope Cruz
Set in: Madrid / Barcelona
A woman in crises after the accidental death of her teenage son, returns to the scene of her secret past in Barcelona to find the boy's father.

Before Night Falls, (2000)
(bi-lingual w/ Spanish and English subtitles)
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Javier Bardem
Set in: Cuba / New York City
Depicts the life Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas and his trials
for living openly as a homosexual under Castro's regime.

Hijo de la novia / Son of the Bride (2001)
(Spanish w/ English subtitles)
Director: Juan Jose Campanella
Starring: Ricardo Darin, Hector Altreo, & Norma Aleandro
Set in: Buenos Aires (Argentina)
A divorced restaurant owner in Buenos Aires has a mid-life meltdown:
Trying to live up to his father's image, guilty over his mother with Alzheimer's disease, raising a daughter, and fighting off those who want to run him out of business.

Maria, llena eres de gracia / Maria, Full of Grace (2004)
(bilingual w/ English & Spanish subtitiles)
Director: Joshua Martson
Starring: Catalina Sandino Moreno
Set in: Columbia & New Jersey (US)
A pregnant Colombian teenager becomes a drug mule to make some desperately needed money for her family.

A Day Without A Mexican (2004)
(English w/ Spanish and Spanish subtitiles)
Director: Sergio Arau
Starring: a cast of (mostly) unknowns
Set in: California/USA
One day California wakes up and not a single Latino is left in the state. They have all inexplicably dissappeared, chaos, economic hardship,tragedy, and comedy quickly ensue: Shot as a "Mock-u-Mentary"
Particularly relevent as the US Immigration laws come under tough scrutiny and the "Day Without An Immigrant" protests heat up across the United States.


Pans
Entre Tinieblax / Dark Habits (1983)
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Julieta Serrano &Cristina Pascua
Set in: Madrid (I think)
*Seriously horrible. Like a carwreck: so bad, I couldn't look away. You know the kind of film that - the worse it is, the more cult status it must enjoy?
I think the US/ Whoopi Goldberg musical "Sister Act" was loosely based on the plot of this film.

Otro lado de la cama / The Other Side of the Bed (2002)
(Spanish / English subtititles)
Director: Emilio Martinez Lazaro
Starring: Paz Vega, Ernesto Alterio, Guillermo Toledo, Natalia Verbeke...
Set in: Somewhere in Spain - Barcelona? I'm not sure...
Paula is having an affair with Javier. Pedro tries to find who is the secret lover of Paula. Meanwhile, while comforting Pedro, Sonia has one night stand with him and Javier thinks she is cheating him with her lesbian friend Lucia.
* I KNOW this was a very popular film in Spain -- but the pop music/musical genre just does nothing for me, personally. Plus I thought it was a fairly tired plotline. Still a few scenes DID make me smile. Anybody know how the sequel did?

[cubix]

Were reading part of DQ for the next few weeks and watching the video in class, since our AP exam is over....

I hope it will be interesting

[timg]

Is no-one reading DQ in Spanish? It's like reading Shakespearean English, but still enjoyable (though needs more concentration than my normal bedtime reading fare).

[cubix]

I;m reading part of it in spanish, well now I am not so sure... We got a bio on cervantes(sp?) and a packet where we havce to research conditions in medievil history..

Sweet..

[cubix]

Ben,

I just picked up a copy of Motorcycle Diaries, the book version. I will hopefully get to start it this weekend...Have you read the book?

Greg

[Ben]

Ben,

I just picked up a copy of Motorcycle Diaries, the book version. I will hopefully get to start it this weekend...Have you read the book?

Greg

In English I'm afraid... great book though!

[Marbella]

I'd recommend listening to this BBC radio programme on Don Quixote although I found the English pronunciation of "Quixote" irritating (as in the English "quixotic", "kwiks-ot-ik"):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/inourtime_20060316.shtml

Film favourites? Nothing surpasses Almodovar's Hable con Ella (Talk to Her). The soundtrack is perfect and Javier Camara as Benigno is just a brilliant performance. Like most Spanish films, particularly Almodovar's, there is a surreal aspect and this just adds to the genius of the film. Love this film and you will [or already do] love Spain.

Andrew

[ValenciaSon]

I've only seen Almodovar's "Tie me up Tie me down". I have been deficient in seeking out film from Spain.

[deleste]

Book - Homage To Catalonia
Films - The Devil's Backbone, Land and Freedom (albeit not a spanish film, I suppose)

Bit of a Guerra Civil theme for me.

[Marbella]

I rediscovered this today and it is such a lovely book. I´ve only the English translation and I must get a copy in Spanish soon. If you´d like to get a feel of Spanish life (Madrid and then the Alcarria) 60 years ago then you´ll enjoy this. Like all the best books about Spain, it´s not so much about the area and the landscape but about the people.

I reread the first couple of chapters today and I still like the description of his early morning walk to the station (Atocha) at the start of the journey. From his house in Madrid, along by the Retiro to Alcalá, Cibeles, Paseo del Prado...

I particularly like this line:

"The traveler (Cela) has his own philosophy of walking; he believes that everything that comes along is always the best thing that could happen."

[Edith]

I have just read "Mi pais inventado" by Isabel Allende and would highly recommend her books, particularly if you are learning spanish as they are fairly easy to read.

True! I have read all of Isabel Allende's books in Spanish, including her children's books and the autobiography you mentioned. A couple of months ago I read 'Ciudad de los prodigios' by Eduardo Mendoza, and it proved to be a much tougher read. Right now I am reading 'La guerra del fin del mundo' by Mario Vargas Llosa.

Favorite book about Spain: Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell
Favorite Spanish movie: Mar adentro

I have also read Iberia by James Michener but I didn't really like the book because he spent too much time writing about how much he liked bullfights. Just like Hemingway. :'(

[Ben]

Favorite book about Spain: Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell


Mine too, top of the list!:)

[Edith]

Mine too, top of the list!:)

What a coincidence! :) I really liked the book because Orwell debunks lots of myths about warfare in general.

[neskadebilbao]

I just finished a Quijote class last semester...in Spanish..both volumes. Not exactly the most exciting book, but I am proud to sad that I accomplished that.

I enjoyed the play "Historia de una escalera" by Vallejo. If anyone watches Aquí no hay quien viva you will be able to relate.

"Todos nacemos vascos" is also funny and gives you a look at Basque humor.

Although I have yet to read it, I heard ¨La sombra del viento¨ is a good one too.

[celia s]

'Barcelona',by Robert Hughes;a very extensive discussion of Barcelona's culture and history.
I have just ordered a copy of 'Goya',by the same artist.
Can anyone recommend any Spanish audio books?

[guapo]

The Goya book by Robert Hughes is also a great read, especially if you get the chance to visit Madrid and go see some of the paintings in the Prado. Explains a lot of the history behind events like "El Dos de Mayo".

[neskadebilbao]

I was just curious to know if anyone has seen "Princesas" and what their opinion was of it. Also, does anyone know where it was filmed?

And apart from that I wanted to know if anyone knew of some good Spanish television series apart from Cuéntame como pasó and Aquí no hay quien viva that are available for purchase.

[Netsirksmada]

I've only seen Almodovar's "Tie me up Tie me down". I have been deficient in seeking out film from Spain.

Matador isn't bad

[Netsirksmada]

I was just curious to know if anyone has seen "Princesas" and what their opinion was of it. Also, does anyone know where it was filmed?

And apart from that I wanted to know if anyone knew of some good Spanish television series apart from Cuéntame como pasó and Aquí no hay quien viva that are available for purchase.

I've heard of that, I think it's playing at the Seattle International Film Festival in fact...

[Ben]

...apart from that I wanted to know if anyone knew of some good Spanish television series apart from Cuéntame como pasó and Aquí no hay quien viva that are available for purchase.

Unfortunately, "good Spanish television series" is a bit of a contradiction in terms!

[Brian]

Unfortunately, "good Spanish television series" is a bit of a contradiction in terms!

Looking at Canal 5, it appears that much of the programming is poorly-translated American tripe.

[ValenciaSon]

After all these years, why can't they make a good tv series in Spain? There's no shortage of talent or creativity. Is spanish tv overly dependent on foreign programs?

[Edith]

After all these years, why can't they make a good tv series in Spain? There's no shortage of talent or creativity. Is spanish tv overly dependent on foreign programs?

Thank goodness for Cuéntame cómo pasó. I'm still enjoying the DVDs! I'd like to see more, though - right now, nothing beats the BBC or PBS.

[José Miguel]

Sobre la guerra que los españoles llaman "de la Independencia" y los británicos "Peninsular War" ha aparecido el libro "La Guerra de la Independencia vista por los británicos (1808-1814)" que contiene muchos y variados testimonios sobre las gentes y tierras que vieron los militares británicos que lucharon en España contra Napoleón.

[Dilano]

There is a series of detective novels set in Seville which are a cracking read. Although the writer's English, he has a great sense of location and the main character, the superbly named Javier Falcon, is your classic melancholy detective. Three have been written so far: The Silent and the Damned, The Blind man of Seville and The Hidden Assassins.

A wonderful book for anyone wanting to get under the skin of modern Spain and the changes that have occured since the Civil war is The Ghosts of Spain by Giles Tremlett, the Madrid correspondant for the Guardian. It's a really iluminating read and really unveils the contradictions in Spanish society.

Most of the great modern Spanish films have already been mentioned, but five years ago I saw a movie called Nadie conoce a nadie with Eduardo Noriega. It's a superb piece of paranoid cinema set in Seville during La Semana Santa.

Finally, about twenty or so years ago, there was a strike on BBC or ITV one saturday evening. I was about 10 and was allowed to stay up for Match of the Day or whatever. Instead, we sat transfixed for 40 minutes watching an utterly terrifying, almost silent 1970's Spanish movie called La Cabina, about a man trapped in a telephone box. I had almost forgotten about it when I read about how a whole generation of British kids had been utterly freaked out by that movie. My brother managed to download a copy from YouTube and it's still one of the most disturbing movies I've ever seen not least for the lead actor's moustache and 70's flared beige trousers!

[eldeano]

I was invited for tea (to meet the husband) by a madrileña and after the initial introductions we sat down to watch his favourite film which he just had to show me. It was in black and white and showed a man becoming converted into an ETA member and then being involved in the assassination of Carrero Blanco. I struggled to keep up with it at times but it was worth it in the end. The other two fell asleep! :zzzzz's:

Grateful for the title of this if anyone knows.

[junknira]

reading 'the stone raft' by saramago, also liked homage to catalonia

i guess Vacas is my favorite, tho bunuel's land w/out bread is up there

[junknira]

could it be "Operazione Ogro"? if not check ETA in wikipedia and look at 'other films' (near the bottom).

[rhodian]

Best spanish film: la lengua de las mariposas

based on short stories by manuel rivas, sort of a rites-of-passage film, overlapping and ending with the outbreak of the civil war in '36. i still find the end tremendously moving and i've seen it like 6 or 7 times!

forget the names of anyone involved with it, though. it also had a british release as "butterfly's tongue", i think.

[dimonió]

Two books I have enjoyed in recent months have been Giles Tremlett's Ghosts of Spain and Tim Parfitt's Load of Bull. Tremlett is the Guardian's Madrid correspondent and has an interesting take on many aspects of modern Spanish society. It's out in hardback now and gets a p/b release in mid 2007.

Tim Parfitt's book is a very funny account of working for Conde Naste's Spanish office in Madrid from the mid 80s onwards.

[felipe]

This is probably poor use of this string but I have just been given a Spain travel book called "Our Lady of the Sewers" by Paul Richardson. The person who gave it to me bought it for 30 cents Australian, about 2.75 Matabelegumbo beads if I may plagiarise the Two Ronnies. If anyone has read it, is it worth reading? I'll let you have a review if I don't hear anything on the forum!!

[NIeves]

Oh yeah that book was amazing!!!!

[NIeves]

The latest spanish movie I saw is un franco , 14 pesetas. It's about a man that emigrates to Switzerland because he and his family need money. It's a very funny movie in the 60's although I think it wasn't quiet that funny to emigrate to Switzerland those days. My parents also moved to Switzerland in the 60's and what they tell it must have been horrible!
Anyway the movie is worth to be seen.

[omeyas]

This is probably poor use of this string but I have just been given a Spain travel book called "Our Lady of the Sewers" by Paul Richardson. The person who gave it to me bought it for 30 cents Australian, about 2.75 Matabelegumbo beads if I may plagiarise the Two Ronnies. If anyone has read it, is it worth reading? I'll let you have a review if I don't hear anything on the forum!!

I have read it, but some time ago, so can´t remember a lot about it! Just looked at my hard back version, and I bought it when it came out in 1998.

[eutiarroba]

Me gustaría comentar que en un foro en el que se pretende aprender español, ni el tato habla en español. No obstante, aprovecho que soy español para escribir en mi idioma.

En fin, brevemente: el libro que más me ha gustado es uno que me obligaron a leer en el colegio de pequeño, se llama "La venganza de Don Mendo". Es una obra de teatro extremadamente graciosa.

Y poco más os cuento, que espero que haya más actividad en español y que si tenéis dudas sobre el idioma, la cultura o lo que sea de España, aquí tenéis a un español medio para poder resolvéroslas.

Un saludo para todos.

Bye!

[ValenciaSon]

Me gustaría comentar que en un foro en el que se pretende aprender español, ni el tato habla en español. No obstante, aprovecho que soy español para escribir en mi idioma.

En fin, brevemente: el libro que más me ha gustado es uno que me obligaron a leer en el colegio de pequeño, se llama "La venganza de Don Mendo". Es una obra de teatro extremadamente graciosa.

Y poco más os cuento, que espero que haya más actividad en español y que si tenéis dudas sobre el idioma, la cultura o lo que sea de España, aquí tenéis a un español medio para poder resolvéroslas.

Un saludo para todos.

Bye!

Uy, uy, uy! Nadie a dicho que es obligatorio comunicar en español en este foro. Este foro tambien puede ser una opotunidad para mejorar su ingles. Pero hacerlo sin estar obligado le quita el estress de hacerlo y ayuda para que la gente goze mientras mejoren el castellano o el ingles.

Bienvenidos a NFS

[eutiarroba]

Uy, uy, uy! Nadie a dicho que es obligatorio comunicar en español en este foro. Este foro tambien puede ser una opotunidad para mejorar su ingles. Pero hacerlo sin estar obligado le quita el estress de hacerlo y ayuda para que la gente goze mientras mejoren el castellano o el ingles.

Bienvenidos a NFS

Primero decir que yo lo decía a título informativo. No es muy práctico que en una página que se intenta hablar de España y de mejorar el manejo del español, se hable en inglés. Hablo de coherencia, no de obligaciones.

Respecto al pie de tu comentario: te corrijo:

Nadie a dicho que es obligatorio comunicar en español en este foro

Veo que eres de Meryland, Un sitio posiblemente muy bonito, pero carente de gusto al hablar en español (que no castellano, aunque suene más fino). Así que te digo que "comunicar" se usa para informar, no para mantener una conversación natural.

Bueno, que no quiero parecer pedante, que sólo quería comentar que una de mis intenciones al apuntarme a este foro era poder ayudar a gente con su español, no mejorar mi inglés, pero oye, quién sabe, igual aprendemos bidireccionalmente, jeje.

Un saludo a todos y especialmente a ValenciaSon ;)

[ValenciaSon]

Yo tampoco no quiero parecer pedante, sólo quería comentar que se escribe Maryland. (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland)Hay diferentes definiciones de la palabra comunicacion (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comunicacion#Diferentes_definiciones).

[ValenciaSon]

Yo tampoco no quiero parecer pedante, sólo quería comentar que se escribe Maryland. (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland)Hay diferentes definiciones de la palabra comunicacion (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comunicacion#Diferentes_definiciones).

La transmision bidireccional de ideas es otra forma de decir comunicacion, no?

[eutiarroba]

Yo tampoco no quiero parecer pedante, sólo quería comentar que se escribe Maryland. (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland)Hay diferentes definiciones de la palabra comunicacion (http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comunicacion#Diferentes_definiciones).

La transmision bidireccional de ideas es otra forma de decir comunicacion, no?

Un aplauso para ti y un una riña para mi porque es cierto que lo he escrito mal. No obstante, no se dice "Yo tampoco no quiero parecer...". Eso, amigo mío, se llama redundancia. Se diría "Yo tampoco quiero parecer..." o "Yo también no quiero parecer..."

Respecto a lo de "comunicación", creo que la Wikipedia no es una buena fuente para este caso. Si buscas aquí (http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/SrvltGUIBusUsual?TIPO_HTML=2&TIPO_BUS=3&LEMA=comunicar) posiblemente entenderás que el uso no es muy adecuado. Aunque entiendo que puede deberse a una derivación traída de México o algún país de Sudamérica.

De todos modos, lo decía a título informativo, sin acritud.

;)

[ValenciaSon]

Un aplauso para ti y un una riña para mi porque es cierto que lo he escrito mal. No obstante, no se dice "Yo tampoco no quiero parecer...". Eso, amigo mío, se llama redundancia. Se diría "Yo tampoco quiero parecer..." o "Yo también no quiero parecer..."

Respecto a lo de "comunicación", creo que la Wikipedia no es una buena fuente para este caso. Si buscas aquí (http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/SrvltGUIBusUsual?TIPO_HTML=2&TIPO_BUS=3&LEMA=comunicar) posiblemente entenderás que el uso no es muy adecuado. Aunque entiendo que puede deberse a una derivación traída de México o algún país de Sudamérica.

De todos modos, lo decía a título informativo, sin acritud.

;)
Lo de la comunicaion se deribe de mis estudios sobre las teorias de comunicaion cuando estaba obteniendo mi Master, no de latinoamerica.

[eldeano]

http://bitrot.net/images/blog/tumbleweed.jpg

[eldeano]

could it be "Operazione Ogro"? if not check ETA in wikipedia and look at 'other films' (near the bottom).

Thanks for the suggestion but I'm not sure. The memory is a little fuzzy but I seem to remember that it was in black and white and that it started with the central character being drawn into his local ETA cell (a think there was a woman involved:)) and he ended up being part of Ogre - but that seemed only to be the last bit of it - the focus seemed to be more upon his struggle with his conscience as to whether he should join this group.

[Edith]

http://bitrot.net/images/blog/tumbleweed.jpg

What's the tumbleweed doing here? ;D

A propósito: en el norte de México, este planta - también conocido como cardo ruso ('Russian thistle' en inglés) - se llama 'chamizo volador'. 'Chamizo' signifíca 'thatched hut':

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?p=2214328#post2214328

[eutiarroba]

Lo de la comunicaion se deribe de mis estudios sobre las teorias de comunicaion cuando estaba obteniendo mi Master, no de latinoamerica.

Con esto termino el pique que te has pillado: espero que ese Master no te haya costado mucho dinero, al menos no más del que puedas sacar por vender al peso el papelito que te habrán dado al obtenerlo.

Nota mental: buscar información de Masters sobre comunicación que digan que una palabra se usa en un sentido que realmente no es el adecuado, aunque en otros países se lo crean a pies juntillas.

[Ben]

Hi eutiarroba (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/member.php?u=1245), I just wanted to welcome you to the forum and to echo what VS said - in this forum people can use English and Spanish freely - whichever they want. And we try not to argue too much as well ;)

[TotallyKen]

Currently reading the History of Spain by Mark Williams (http://www.amazon.com/Story-Spain-Mark-Williams/dp/8489954135)which is a terrific summary of Spain to date. I also liked Rivers of Gold by Hugh Thomas. (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E5D7173AF936A15754C0A9629C8B 63)

The Basque History of the World (http://www.amazon.com/Basque-History-World-Story-Nation/dp/0140298517) is well researched and offers some good insight into the people and the culture.

A nice book about Barcelona & Catalonia is Homage to Barcelona (http://www.colmtoibin.com/books/nonfiction/homageToBarcelona/content/CTHT01.htm)by Irish writer Colm Toibin.

I also recommend both Duende (http://books.guardian.co.uk/firstbook2003/story/0,,1040096,00.html) and Al Andalus (http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/catalog/book.htm?command=Search&db=twmain.txt&eqisbndata=0552771244)by Jason Webster.

For movies, I think that JOse Luis Garci (http://www.alohacriticon.com/elcriticon/article2109.html)has made some really beautiful films especially those shot in Asturias such as Historia de un Beso (http://www.labutaca.net/films/12/historiadeunbeso.htm)and You´re the one. Well worth seeing if only for the scenery and the way he captures the early 20th century in Asturias.

[TotallyKen]

Currently reading the History of Spain by Mark Williams (http://www.amazon.com/Story-Spain-Mark-Williams/dp/8489954135)which is a terrific summary of Spain to date. I also liked Rivers of Gold by Hugh Thomas. (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E5D7173AF936A15754C0A9629C8B 63)

The Basque History of the World (http://www.amazon.com/Basque-History-World-Story-Nation/dp/0140298517) is well researched and offers some good insight into the people and the culture.

A nice book about Barcelona & Catalonia is Homage to Barcelona (http://www.colmtoibin.com/books/nonfiction/homageToBarcelona/content/CTHT01.htm)by Irish writer Colm Toibin.

I also recommend both Duende (http://books.guardian.co.uk/firstbook2003/story/0,,1040096,00.html) and Al Andalus (http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/catalog/book.htm?command=Search&db=twmain.txt&eqisbndata=0552771244)by Jason Webster.

If you´d like to read for free some old books about Spain then check out the Gutenberg Project (http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page) and search Spain in topics.

For movies, I think that JOse Luis Garci (http://www.alohacriticon.com/elcriticon/article2109.html)has made some really beautiful films especially those shot in Asturias such as Historia de un Beso (http://www.labutaca.net/films/12/historiadeunbeso.htm)and You´re the one. Well worth seeing if only for the scenery and the way he captures the early 20th century in Asturias.

[Davehodgo]

has anyone read this book i have its really well written and gives a lot of insight into spain. with chapters like "how the bikini saved spain" plus loads of history on the franco regime and popularity of flamenco. i definatly reccomend this one

[Edith]

has anyone read this book i have its really well written and gives a lot of insight into spain. with chapters like "how the bikini saved spain" plus loads of history on the franco regime and popularity of flamenco. i definatly reccomend this one

Yes, I have, and it was really an eye opener for me because I gained some valuable insights into the 'transición' and its aftermath.

[Davehodgo]

Just finished reading this book called a load of bull. its about a young man moving to madrid in the eighties and having a job at the vogue espania magazine. its a good read and good insight in to how the spanish capital works and plays.

anybody else read it? what do you think?

[Davehodgo]

me again! i know the author tim parfit. a great read!

does anybody else know any books along the same lines, about people moving to spain and their initial experiences?

[Mark-H]

hola.

I've just read Bens book "Errant in iberia" its pretty good and a quick read.

hasta la proxima

Mark

[eldeano]

hola.

I've just read Bens book "Errant in iberia" its pretty good and a quick read.

hasta la proxima

Mark

That critica could well win you $100. :D

[Davehodgo]

i accidently ordered four copies of bens book on the internet and i have read one of them. so if your book goes up the bestsellors chart you have me to thank ben. lol, p.s great read

[cliftonjan]

I agree with Ben about the George Orwell book. Reading it made me want to find out more about the civil war and I am now reading (slowly!)
"Una historia de la guerra civil que no va a gustar a nadie" by Juan Eslava Galan ( Planeta).
It is a sensitive account of the political machinations but also looks at the effects on real people´s lives - for example- una receta para tortilla de patatas sin patatas y sin huevos y porque en los cines de la infancia del autor se comían tantas pipas.....

Films- Nueve Reinas of course and have heard good things about "el laberinto del fauno" but my screen is too small to make me want to watch it on DVD. An Andalusian film worth looking out for is " Atún y chocolate ", set around Barbate ( indie romantic comedy is my best description- tuna and hashish!)

I will have to see Manolete when it comes out ( Adrien Brody y the ubiquitous Pen ) even if it is just because it was shot on location here in El Puerto de Santa Maria and Cadiz ,Sanlúcar amongst other places.

[Davehodgo]

Just finished reading "spain by the horns" by Tim Elliot about an austrailian writing a book on Jesulin the bull fighter

Currently reading the revised version of the "the new spaniards" by John hooper and i'm really enjoying this one.

both good books

[Palmerito]

Anyone have any thoughts pro or con on James Michner's book "Iberia"?

[ValenciaSon]

Anyone have any thoughts pro or con on James Michner's book "Iberia"?I don't but I read his novel "Space" some years ago. It was an interesting, though long read. I hear his other novels are like that.

[tomc52]

Anyone have any thoughts pro or con on James Michner's book "Iberia"?
Like most of Michener's work it would be great if only he would edit it down to about half. Also if I remember correctly there was some dated Spanish stereotyping.
The best books on spain That I ever read, and possibly my all time favorite trilogy is "the Cypresses believe in god" by José Maria Gironella. It's about a family in Girona and the events leading up to, during, and after the Spanish civil war. It's a facinating look at life in 1930's Spain and even better If you're familiar with Girona.

[PattyN]

I just finished reading Paul Richardson's "A Late Dinner". The book is part travelog, part Spanish food history, part celebrity chef interviews, and part restaurant reviews. Not a book for everyone, but certainly a must-read for any foodies out there.

[richardksa]

Just finished reading this book called a load of bull. its about a young man moving to madrid in the eighties and having a job at the vogue espania magazine. its a good read and good insight in to how the spanish capital works and plays.

anybody else read it? what do you think?

I loved this and so have all I know that have read it. Someone told me there are plans to turn it into a film, but I think it's essence would be lost in trying to explain Madrid to those who don't know the city. It is a book to read after you have been here for a while. Only then will you really understand his frustrations. I would like a sequel of hius second ten years.

[Pat1]

I don't know if anyone's mentioned this, but "La Lengua de las Mariposas" is a great film ("Butterflies" in English). I had to watch it for class but it's probably my favorite all-Spanish movie I've seen -- of course I've only seen a handful.

[Ben]

It is indeed a great film, extremely moving. Which others have you seen?

[allan]

Aren't there any Bunuel fans out there?

My faves:

Un Chien Andalou, L'Age d'Or and Viridiana.

When I saw the first one, my knees turned to jelly at the opening
scene and I thought "Oh my God, if this is how it starts what's coming next?" It actually calms down a bit after that, in a surrealist sort of way
of course.

Allan

[Juanjo]

Aren't there any Bunuel fans out there?

My faves:

Un Chien Andalou, L'Age d'Or and Viridiana.

García Lorca broke off his deep friendships with Buñuel and Dalí because he considered "Un Chien Andaluz" referred to him- the pejorative term for an Andalucian at that time was "un perro andaluz". Lorca called it " a little shit of a film".

The original working title of "L'Age d'Or" was "La bestia andaluza" then "'Abajo la Constitución!" before reaching th final title.

But you are right, "Un Chien Andalou" changed film-making for good, bringing the surrealism to the screen that we see today in blockbusters like harry Potter and Tolkien movies.

[allan]

Aren't there any Bunuel fans out there?

My faves:

Un Chien Andalou, L'Age d'Or and Viridiana.

García Lorca broke off his deep friendships with Buñuel and Dalí because he considered "Un Chien Andaluz" referred to him- the pejorative term for an Andalucian at that time was "un perro andaluz". Lorca called it " a little shit of a film".

The original working title of "L'Age d'Or" was "La bestia andaluza" then "'Abajo la Constitución!" before reaching th final title.

But you are right, "Un Chien Andalou" changed film-making for good, bringing the surrealism to the screen that we see today in blockbusters like harry Potter and Tolkien movies.

I didn't know about that.

There was a recent radio program - and I'm only reporting as I don't
know much about the background - suggesting that a lot of tension
was created by Dali's repressed homosexuality which he couldn't come
to terms with.

In the end I guess it was inevitable that three such tempestuous
personalities would split.

Allan

[allan]

I like Almodovar's stuff as well.

A couple of others:

El Dia de la Bestia (I think) - a tale of a slightly deranged priest trying
to raise the devil. Funny and sad. The sort of thing Spanish directors are
good at. Can't remember the director's name.

Then there's that film about the disabled man in Galicia who wants to
commit suicide but can't because he's paralysed from the neck down.
He eventually succeeds with the help of friends who each take a small
part in the process so that none of them legally can be charged with
assisting suicide. At least I think that's how it went. Based on a true story. Could have been a real tearjerker but comes out quite heartwarming
and unsentimental.

Can't remember the title or the director.

regards

Allan

[Juanjo]

I didn't know about that.

There was a recent radio program - and I'm only reporting as I don't know much about the background - suggesting that a lot of tension was created by Dali's repressed homosexuality which he couldn't come
to terms with. In the end I guess it was inevitable that three such tempestuous
personalities would split.

Not just Dalí! Lorca did not "come out" until the early 30s and understanding his repressed homosexuality is a key to understanding his works. Buñuel also, some say, exhibited signs of repressed homosexuality about that time with his ultra-macho self-image and his apparent homophobia: he was also extremely jealous of the earlier Lorca-Dalí love affair, hence "Un Chien Andalou", Lorca´s reaction and the break-up of the friendship.

Dalí's sexuality is yet another matter as his biographers comment, closet homosexual initially perhaps and generally scared of penetrative sex with females. Even Dalí himself hints at it in his autobiography, but he was such a liar at times (like Lorca) that it is difficult to be certain. The biography of his wife, Gala, provides some clues as well.

[Pat1]

It is indeed a great film, extremely moving. Which others have you seen?

I've also seen "Fresa y Chocolate" (Cuba/Spain) which was really good. At first it appears as another gay-themed movies but it definitely uses that as a means to explore something deeper. And, "El Hijo de la Novia" (Argentina); really hard to understand what they were saying, but thank god for subtitles. Not a bad movie. I also saw a Mexican movie about dog-fighting with the story told in three parts (I forgot the name) but it was pretty cool. Can someone help me out with the title?

[Edith]

I
Then there's that film about the disabled man in Galicia who wants to
commit suicide but can't because he's paralysed from the neck down.
He eventually succeeds with the help of friends who each take a small
part in the process so that none of them legally can be charged with
assisting suicide. At least I think that's how it went. Based on a true story. Could have been a real tearjerker but comes out quite heartwarming
and unsentimental.

Mar Adentro, by Alejandro Amenábar. It's one of my favorite movies.

[timg]

I also saw a Mexican movie about dog-fighting with the story told in three parts (I forgot the name) but it was pretty cool. Can someone help me out with the title?
Amores Perros?

[Pat1]

Amores Perros?

yes that's it/ thanks

[Palmerito]

Mar Adentro, by Alejandro Amenábar. It's one of my favorite movies.

Yes, one of my favourites as well. It stars Javier Bardem who also stars in another excellent movie called "Before Night Falls" about the life of gay Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas who endured imprisonment and torture under the artistically repressive regime of Castro. A wonderful tale of the necessity for freedom. And Javier's newest film is an adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez' book, "Love in the Time of Cholera" - due out this week.

[Edith]

another excellent movie called "Before Night Falls" about the life of gay Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas who endured imprisonment and torture under the artistically repressive regime of Castro.

Thanks for the tip! :thumbs-up: I always like stories which are about personal freedom in the face of adversity.

[eldeano]

Thanks for the tip! :thumbs-up: I always like stories which are about personal freedom in the face of adversity.

You'll find another here (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3877).

[ValenciaSon]

You'll find another here (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3877).Don't get melodramatic Cat man:cool:

[Edith]

You'll find another here (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3877).

I've got an idea: why don't you upload one of your own favorite cat photos? Or perhaps you could ask an artistic friend to draw a nice cat cartoon for you? This is not a joke, you could give it a try.

[Edith]

Another great movie is ´Te Doy Mis Ojos´ by Icíar Bollaín. It´s about a woman and her abusive spouse±

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_doy_mis_ojos

[dimonió]

Another great movie is ´Te Doy Mis Ojos´ by Icíar Bollaín. It´s about a woman and her abusive spouse±

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_doy_mis_ojos


I would agree with that. It's a great film and Luis Tosar, the husband, is a fantastic actor. He was excellent in Los Lunes al Sol which is well worth a look if you get the chance.

Best wishes.

[Ben]

Another great movie is ´Te Doy Mis Ojos´ by Icíar Bollaín. Saw this the other night and thought it was amazingly well done. Thoroughly depressing in parts, but a great film indeed.

[roymercer]

I am interested in the Spanish Civil War, I have read all the popular books on the war and a few general spanish history books. I am looking for books more from the view of the common soldier in the war, in the style of Homage to Catalonia, in English if possible. I do not think my Spanish is good enough yet to read a complete book, although I hope it will be one day. Can anyone help with titles and if possible where to get them, regards Roy Mercer.

[tomc52]

I am interested in the Spanish Civil War, I have read all the popular books on the war and a few general spanish history books. I am looking for books more from the view of the common soldier in the war, in the style of Homage to Catalonia, in English if possible. I do not think my Spanish is good enough yet to read a complete book, although I hope it will be one day. Can anyone help with titles and if possible where to get them, regards Roy Mercer.
I assume that you've already read
the spanish civil war by Hugh Thomas
The Passionate war by Peter Wyden
Blood of Spain by Ronald Fraser
The Spanish Republic and the Civil war by Gabriel Jackson
How about the novels "Man's hope" by Andre Malraux and "The cypresses believe in God" by Jose Maria Gironella? also Lots of Hemmingway stuff on the subject.

[roymercer]

Thanks very much, that list is really helpful, regards Roy.

[Pat1]

i just finished reading Carlos Luis Zafon's "The Shadow of the Wind" in english. it's originally a spanish book (La sombra del viento) that takes place in barcelona just after the civil war. it's a mystery/romance/thriller novel of sorts and i highl recommend it. a refreshing read.

[Tronco]

My all time favourite Spanish film is "You're the one (una historia de entonces)" - Director: José Luis Garci. It's a wonderful and beautiful film.

I also loved "Abre los ojos". The scene where the Gran Via in Madrid is completely empty is amazing. If you have ever been to the Gran Via, you would know what I am taking about
Generally, I think the acting in Spanish movies is fantastic.

Unfortunately my level of Spanish isn't high enough to read and appreciate any Spanish books.

I have El Camino by Miguel Delibes sitting on my bookshelf (a present from my former Spanish teacher) but it is a struggle to read and understand it to be honest. Has anyone read this?

Thanks

[eldeano]

i just finished reading Carlos Luis Zafon's "The Shadow of the Wind" in english. it's originally a spanish book (La sombra del viento) that takes place in barcelona just after the civil war. it's a mystery/romance/thriller novel of sorts and i highl recommend it. a refreshing read.

Good. I started it last night.

[José Miguel]

También sobre España después de la Guerra Civil, el libro de Esther Tusquets "Habíamos ganado la guerra" es muy interesante.

[Salam]

Ay dios mio, mi clase de espanol y yo estamos mirando la peli <<Mar Adentro>> y me encanta aunque no se ahora que son mis sentidos sobre el tema de la peli pero de toda manera, me encanta la peli y los actores, y tambien el hecho de que estaba grabado en Galicia es magnifico porque las escenas son fenomenales! Yo recomiendo ver este peli muchisimo! :D

[JBrw]

Me gusta mucho los libros de Arturo Pérez-Reverte: El Capitán Alatriste. On a side note, a film was made, starring Viggo Moretensen. It is the most expensive Spanish language film ever made.

[louise_jane]

Some favourite books in Spanish are Carlos Ruiz Zafon's The Shadow of the Wind and Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits. Anything by Gabriel García Marquez is also very good :)
Favourite film, is fairly recent one, but I love Pan's Labyrinth, and Hable con Ella is definitely my favourite Almodóvar.

[Perrault]

Yo leo -- muy lentamente -- Mi Rincon en la Montaña, por Jean Craighead George (en inglés se llama My Side of the Mountain). Cuando era adolescente, me gustaba mucho este libro en inglés, y recuerdo unos partes de la cuenta. Leerlo en español es interesante para mí porque todavía no puedo leer libros más difíciles en español, pero no me interesan libros para niños jovenes.

Ojalá que un día pueda leer libros más famosos que fueron escrito en español, como los libros de Márquez, Allende, y otros.

Me encanta las poemas de Roberto Juarroz, un poeta argentino. Tengo Vertical Poetry, Recent Poems, con las poemas en español y traducido por Mary Crow. Las leo en español sin ver a la traducción, y entonces leo el inglés para descrubrir si las entendí.

Esta es mi poema favorita del libro:Octava.83

La escritura infecta aquí el paisaje.
Hay más letras que hojas.
La palabra del hombre
Se ha convertido en floración parásita.

La escritura cubre así otra escritura
y no deja mirar hacia otro lado,
hacia la fiesta pura de leer en el fondo
el secreto alfabeto que no se deletrea.

Hay que cavar detrás de la escritura,
hasta encontrar la otra, la cegada.
Ya estamos en los últimos renglones
y no hemos terminado todavía el mensaje.
Saludos,

Sarah

[rca215]

Not sure if For Whom the Bell Tolls (Hemingway) and Tales of the Alhambra (Irving) have been mentioned. Both American writers, writing in English.

In addition to the many movies already mentioned, I would add El Cochecito. It's a very bizarre movie from the early 60s. I was assigned to watch it as part of a Spanish class in college and it started off so odd that I thought I was watching the wrong movie. In the end I enjoyed it, but I don't remember too much about it at this point.

[Andalucian Traveller]

A couple of my favourite movies were both filmed in Spain (Almeria), although not actually Spanish.

Once Upon A Time in The West, with Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda and Jason Robards. Great music.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The first time I saw this film I was not very impressed as I thought it dragged on a bit, but on subsequent viewings I think it gets better and better.

[ArualyEgroj]

yeah, i did it, Don Quijote in spanish!...well, the first part :blush:
i love aswell "el hereje" of Miguel Delibes and if you like travel-history boocks try Javier Reverte (not Perez Reverte)

my best spanish film is a litle unknown film called "La buena estrella"
http://www.todocine.com/mov/00202188.htm
hours crying!



and i hate "El codigo Davinchi"!!!
i must said.

[ese]

El cine español no es malo, es malísimo. El cine español se puede resumir en pocas palabras: drogadictos, prostitutas (las películas de Almodóvar son de travestis, drogadictos, prostitutas y marujas cotillas sin nada mejor que hacer en la vida) y Guerra Civil/Postguerra/Franquismo (siempre desde el punto de vista de la izquierda).
A todo esto súmenle las penosas interpretaciones de la mayoría de los actores y actrices (Natalia Verbeke, Penélope Cruz o Leonor Watling son claros ejemplos), las escenas de sexo y desnudos que hay en el 90% de las películas de cine español, aunque no tengan sentido y no aporten nada al guión (no hay película en la que una actriz no enseñe los pechos).

Por si fuera poco, el cine español está subvencionado por el Ministerio de Cultura, a través de los impuestos que pagamos los españoles, aunque luego el 95% de los españoles ni las vemos. Por eso, aunque las películas sean unos bodrios que nadie ve, esos directores siguen filmando más películas. No es de extrañar que la mayoría de los directores y actores en España sean del PSOE, ya que es el Gobierno del PSOE el que más dinero ha dado a los actores. Mientras que los agricultores y pescadores se tienen que poner en huelga y no reciben ni un euro del Gobierno.

El único director de cine español que me interesa algo es José Luis Garci.

[ValenciaSon]

Habia peliculas de calidad hechas durante la epoca de Franco? Por Franco?

[ese]

Habia peliculas de calidad hechas durante la epoca de Franco? Por Franco?


No, el cine español en la época de Franco era malo y ahora es todavía peor.

[ValenciaSon]

No, el cine español en la época de Franco era malo y ahora es todavía peor.Pero lo que es malo o bueno, no depende al gusto de la persona?

[ese]

Pero lo que es malo o bueno, no depende al gusto de la persona?


Sí, y por eso te estoy dando mi opinión. Lo que sale en las pelis españolas, en bastantes ocasiones, no tiene nada que ver con la realidad. En España se ve mucho más cine de los Estados Unidos que europeo. En 2007, cerca del 75% de las personas que fueron al cine en España, eligieron cine de los EEUU. De 100 películas españolas que se estrenaron en España, sólo 2 superaron el millón de espectadores (El Orfanato y REC). La mayoría de ellas estuvo por debajo de los 50.000 espectadores.

[ese]

1. El Orfanato (24 millones de euros) España/México
2. Piratas del Caribe. En el fin del mundo (21 millones de euros) Estados Unidos
3. Shrek Tercero (21 millones de euros) Estados Unidos
4. Los Simpson-La Película (17 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
5. Harry Potter y la Órden del Fenix (17 millones de euros). Gran Bretaña/ Estados Unidos.
6. Spiderman 3 (17 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
7. Ratatouille (15 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
8. 300 (14 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
9. La brújula dorada (11 millones de euros). Estados Unidos/Gran Bretaña
10. Noche en el museo (11 millones de euros). Estados Unidos/Gran Bretaña
11. Soy Leyenda (9 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
12. El últimatum de Bourne (9 millones de euros). estados Unidos/Alemania
13. REC (7.7 millones de euros). España
14. Ocean's Thirteen (7.4 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
15. La jungla de cristal 4 (7.3 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
16. Transformers (7.2 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
17. Encantada-La Historia de Giselle (7.2 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
18. Los 4 Fantásticos y Silver Surfer (7.1 millones de euros). Estados Unidos
19. Bee Movie (7 millones de euros). Estados Unidos

En la lista sólo aparecen 2 películas españolas: El Orfanato y REC.

[Cide Hamete Benengeli VII]

Two of my favorite films are El año garrapata and Crimen ferpecto. Both are comedies.

Two books that I like are La tesis de Nancy by Ramon J. Sender, and Muerte en el barrio by Alfonso Sastre.

[Cide Hamete Benengeli VII]

Is no-one reading DQ in Spanish? It's like reading Shakespearean English, but still enjoyable (though needs more concentration than my normal bedtime reading fare).
I've read it a couple of times (in Spanish of course). It's hilarious!

[tad]

Originally Posted by timg Is no-one reading DQ in Spanish? It's like reading Shakespearean English, but still enjoyable (though needs more concentration than my normal bedtime reading fare).

I've read it a couple of times (in Spanish of course). It's hilarious!
Beckett might not know much about good tv programmes, but if you go to her website (http://spanish-podcast.com/) you can get a link to pick up the whole book in audio.

By the way Cide I think I met a relative of yours when I was in Glasgow, Cide Hamish Benengeli VII. Do you know him?

[Cide Hamete Benengeli VII]

Beckett might not know much about good tv programmes, but if you go to her website (http://spanish-podcast.com/) you can get a link to pick up the whole book in audio.

By the way Cide I think I met a relative of yours when I was in Glasgow, Cide Hamish Benengeli VII. Do you know him?
Hi, tad. Probably a cousin or something

[gastephen]

1. El Orfanato (24 millones de euros) España/México


La vi en DVD el viernes. ¡Me gustó muchísimo!

[vicentef]

mi pelicula favorita española es la comunidad, tambien me gusto mucho crimen ferpecto , creo que las dos son de alex de la iglesia

[Legazpi]

La Cabina (dir. Antonio Mercero, 1972)

A short movie in a similar style to the "Tales Of The Unexpected" series. It's on youtube, but better to track down the original version if you can. Very creepy.

[piperemirip3]

I'd recommend listening to this BBC radio programme on Don Quixote although I found the English pronunciation of "Quixote" irritating (as in the English "quixotic", "kwiks-ot-ik"):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/inourtime_20060316.shtml

Film favourites? Nothing surpasses Almodovar's Hable con Ella (Talk to Her). The soundtrack is perfect and Javier Camara as Benigno is just a brilliant performance. Like most Spanish films, particularly Almodovar's, there is a surreal aspect and this just adds to the genius of the film. Love this film and you will [or already do] love Spain.

Andrew


I loved reading Cervantes, but I find modern poetry (i.e. Storni, julia de burgos -- who ironically enough, is not from the burgos in spain, apparently -- neruda and other modern poets to be much more entertaining, albiet much more hard to analyze, to read.

As for movies, I think the most classic of the ones I've seen in spanish are mar aldentro, which OMG I loved, and Pan's Labrynth, which won so many awards that it speaks for itself. Also, if you like more documentary-like films, Paloma de Papel was good, although I started to cry :,-( Lastly, I have had three teachers in a row show me "motorcycle diaries" for those new to spanish. My recommendation, however, is that you read up on che guevara before you watch it though

[calentita]

I'd recommend listening to this BBC radio programme on Don Quixote although I found the English pronunciation of "Quixote" irritating (as in the English "quixotic", "kwiks-ot-ik"):

Andrew

the french say Don - Qui Chotte

Donkey Shot. I kept thinking what? who shot a donkey and why are you suddenly speaking english? One french conversation that got away from me.....
:p

I'm after some really funny spanish comedy - like a father Ted in spanish, or Black books - silly quirky stuff - any suggestions?

[calentita]

My all time favourite Spanish film is "You're the one (una historia de entonces)" - Director: José Luis Garci. It's a wonderful and beautiful film.

I also loved "Abre los ojos". The scene where the Gran Via in Madrid is completely empty is amazing. If you have ever been to the Gran Via, you would know what I am taking about
Generally, I think the acting in Spanish movies is fantastic.


Thanks
yes i loved abre los ojos must watch that again, would recommend it to anyone
you can start watching it here
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uGRIOcbcF0s
it was remade with tom cruise as Vanilla Sky- not a patch on the original although i like the titile

[Domca]

ahora mismo, leo 'el otro arbol de guernica' por luis de castresana, que es sobre la guerra civil, y de su punto de vista como un hijo que ha sido 'evacuado?' a frances.

la peli mas me gusta es los diarios de motocicleta, me encanta:cool:

[Melocoton]

Finally, about twenty or so years ago, there was a strike on BBC or ITV one saturday evening. I was about 10 and was allowed to stay up for Match of the Day or whatever. Instead, we sat transfixed for 40 minutes watching an utterly terrifying, almost silent 1970's Spanish movie called La Cabina, about a man trapped in a telephone box. I had almost forgotten about it when I read about how a whole generation of British kids had been utterly freaked out by that movie. My brother managed to download a copy from YouTube and it's still one of the most disturbing movies I've ever seen not least for the lead actor's moustache and 70's flared beige trousers!

Dilano - I thought I was the only person in the world to have seen that horrific film! Probably because I was so traumatised by it that I never mention it to anyone, and if the memory of it pops up in my head, I have to repress it ruthlessly by thinking of fluffy animals, the credit crunch, anything.... Since I saw it, if I ever have to enter a telephone box, I always keep the door propped open with my handbag.

[kenpeace]

I recently watched [.rec]. I'm not really a horror/fright film fan, but I would imagine that in that genre it's pretty good - most of the other horror films that I have seen have been pretty poor.

I also watched El Orfenato and thought that that was OK too.

Why do I watch horror if I don't really like it? That's my family - wife and teenage kids. I add to the mix by the occasional Spanish offering.

FWIW - In .rec, the scenes in the Fire Station with the TV presenter were relatively good practice for my intermediate level Spanish. I covered up the subtitles with my glass of Rioja and just listened.

[gastephen]

Dilano - I thought I was the only person in the world to have seen that horrific film! Probably because I was so traumatised by it that I never mention it to anyone, and if the memory of it pops up in my head, I have to repress it ruthlessly by thinking of fluffy animals, the credit crunch, anything.... Since I saw it, if I ever have to enter a telephone box, I always keep the door propped open with my handbag.

That sounds familiar! Did it end with him being carted off still trapped in the phone box on the back of truck?

[aintza]

Ooh, I love this thread. I've been reading through and adding tons of books to my Bookmooch and Amazon lists.

++Books++

* The Basque History of the World [Mark Kurlansky] - One of the most beautiful books ever written about my people. I also love the ancient recipes he's included and the attention to everything from the civil war to the txapela (beret).
* The Basque Country [Paddy Woodsworth]
* The New Spaniards [John Hooper]
* Driving over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucía [Chris Stewart]
* Spanish Lessons: Beginning a New Life in Spain [Derek Lambert]
* Spain: The Root and the Flower (An interpretation of Spain and the Spanish People) [John A. Crow]
* Spanish Recognitions: The Roads to the Present [Mary Lee Settle]
* De mis pasos en la tierra [Francisco Ayala]
* Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football [Phil Ball]
* Bodas de Sangre [Federico García Lorca]
* Don Quijote [Cervantes]
* Noli me Tangere & El Filibusterismo [Jose P. Rizal]
* The Basques, the Catalans and Spain: Alternative Routes to Nationalist Mobilisation [Daniele Conversi]

++Films++

* Volver [Pedro Almodóvar]
* Camarón [Jaime Chávarri]

[Juanjo]

* The Basque History of the World [Mark Kurlansky] - One of the most beautiful books ever written about my people. I also love the ancient recipes he's included and the attention to everything from the civil war to the txapela (beret).


Certainly an interesting book, but hardly a "history", more a polemical novel!;)

[Pippa]

the french say Don - Qui Chotte

Donkey Shot. I kept thinking what? who shot a donkey and why are you suddenly speaking english? One french conversation that got away from me.....
:p

I'm after some really funny spanish comedy - like a father Ted in spanish, or Black books - silly quirky stuff - any suggestions?

Have you tried Camera Cafe? you can watch it in youtube

[aintza]

Certainly an interesting book, but hardly a "history", more a polemical novel!;)

:) It certainly is controversial... and I guess I'll leave it at that. ;D

[Kendra]

I am interested in recommendations of good books that are fairly easy to read (intermediate level). Note that this question is a slightly different from asking "What is your your *favorite* book?" I'm wondering who are the good Spanish writers (contemporary fiction or nonfiction, not interested in poetry) or classical literary figures who are relatively simple to read. This may be a good question for Spanish teachers to answer.

[NicSiddle]

I am interested in recommendations of good books that are fairly easy to read (intermediate level). Note that this question is a slightly different from asking "What is your your *favorite* book?" I'm wondering who are the good Spanish writers (contemporary fiction or nonfiction, not interested in poetry) or classical literary figures who are relatively simple to read. This may be a good question for Spanish teachers to answer.

Kendra - suggest that you get hold of a copy in translation of "The boy in the striped pyjamas" (El niño con el pijamas de rayas). I read this on holidays last year. Whilst not a Spanish author, the language and sentence construction is fairly straightforward (perhaps echoing English construction). I would class myself as lower intermediate in terms of ability. I have also tried reading "Marina" by Carlos Ruíz Zafón but whilst I can basically translate it, the construction is much more Spanish and it is difficult to maintain the pace of reading.

Hope this helps

Nic

[Kendra]

thanks, I'll check it out.

[tad]

Like the suggestion above 'El curioso incidente del perro a media noche'
was not written in Spanish, but I think it was one of the easier books (http://www.lecturalia.com/libro/38/el-curioso-incidente-del-perro-a-media-noche) that I have read translated to Spanish. The story is told through the eyes of an autistic child.

[Juanjo]

Like the suggestion above 'El curioso incidente del perro a media noche'
was not written in Spanish, but I think it was one of the easier books (http://www.lecturalia.com/libro/38/el-curioso-incidente-del-perro-a-media-noche) that I have read translated to Spanish. The story is told through the eyes of an autistic child.

I recommend it as well- it is true to life. (We have autism in the family!:()

[Domca]

the french say Don - Qui Chotte

Donkey Shot. I kept thinking what? who shot a donkey and why are you suddenly speaking english? One french conversation that got away from me.....
:p

I'm after some really funny spanish comedy - like a father Ted in spanish, or Black books - silly quirky stuff - any suggestions?


family guy - padre de familia- is very good in spanish

[aintza]

I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned this yet but I love Carlos Saura's flamenco trilogy: Bodas de Sangre, Carmen and El Amor Brujo.

All three feature the late Antonio Gades, one of the best flamenco dancers, in my opinion. I also loved seeing a young José Mercé in Bodas de Sangre and Paco de Lucía in Carmen.

[Alison B]

I just read Everything but the Squeal: Eating the Whole Hog in Northern Spain by John Barlow, an English food writer who lives in Corun~a. He details his quest to eat every part of the pig in Galicia in one year. He describes festivals, traditions and daily life in almost every corner of the province, some very remote, and meets some very interesting people. I enjoyed learning more about Galicia and really liked his descriptive and snappy writing style. I recommend this book!

[Hagrid]

Sorry to say this but I find it really hard to find Spanish TV progs, books and films that I actually enjoy! Is it me? I liked Aqui No Hay Quién Viva at first but about the 3rd series,it started to go downhill...tried Cuentáme Como Paso but just couldn´t get into it(as with all Spanish TV progs)Maybe it´s the language? However, I have been living in Spain for at least 7yrs now and consider myself to be of an intermediate to upper intermediate level.

My fav books are: Sin Noticias de Gurb(Eduardo Mendoza) and Como Agua Para Chocolate(Laura Esquival). Didn´t like El Sombra Del Viento(too long and slow paced) although everyone raves about it.

I haven´t seen many Spanish films as my (Spanish) boyfriend doesn´t like Spanish cinema and isn´t so keen on the TV progs either although we really enjoyed Lobo, which is based on a true story about a guy who infiltrates ETA, the terrorist group. El Laberinto del Fauno was ok too.

[jimmy_jazz]

For those who live in Madrid or plan to go they should read "Misericordia" from Benito Pérez Galdós. The history is great and you will get immersed very quick as the descriptions are very realistic.

[Lara1985]

The first movie which i see in Spanish was Nueve Reina and i really love taht movie

[WesleyHH]

Mis favoritos libros:
- Lluís-Anton Baulenas "Por un saco de huesos"
- Carlos Ruíz Zafon "La sombra del viento" , "El juego del angel"
- Jason Webster "Duende. A journey in search of flamenco"

mis favoritas películas:
- El orfanato
- El laberinto del fauno
- Camarón
- Vengo
- El espinazo del diablo
- Hellboy (no español pero Guilermo ...:blush:)

[weetoon]

I have just read a lovely novel called "La Bodega". It's by an american author and so written in English, although I read it in French. I'm sure it must be available in Spanish too...

[Jude]

Very interesting seeing everyone's suggestions - I love reading about Spain. My favorite book about Spain is Voices of the Old Sea by Norman Lewis, about a corner of the Costa Brava before it was overtaken by holiday development. Rose Macaulay's 'Fabled Shore' is a descriptive tour covering the whole Mediterranean coast and beyond to the Algarve published in 1949.

I love The Factory of Light by Michael Jacobs about a village in Andalucia called Frailes. Two Middle-aged Ladies in Andalusia is another favorite, published in 1963 and written by Penelope Chetwode, the wife of John Betjeman (not really relevent) about her journey by horse north of Granada. There is also Spanish Steps by Tim Moore about travelling the Camino with a donkey - very amusing.

I have read 'Don Quixote's Delusions' by Miranda France and am pretty sure I enjoyed it (as I have kept it) but can't remember much except there is quite a lot of anecdote about Madrid.

Manuel Vázquez Montalbán writes detective stories set in Barcelona. I have just read 'The Man of My Life' in translation and it was good but not really my cup of tea.

I also have an anthology of writings about Madrid edited by Hugh Thomas 'A Traveller's Companion to Madrid' which has excerpts from Bunuel, Trotsky, Richard Ford, Gautier, Casanova and countless others. Good for browsing.

[luliladewyoming]

Acabo de leer La Sangre de los inocentes, Julia Navarro, y ahora planeo leer sus otras novelas y quizas sus libros de analisis politico; me encanta como se ha vinculado lo historico con lo moderno. Es un thriller.:thumbs-up:

Tambien durante el invierno lei todas las novelas historicas de Caroline Roe que tienen lugar en Gerona en el siglo XI, con un medico judio que resuelve asesinos misteriosos. Roe, catedratica canadiense de historia medieval, mezcla bien la historia europa, cataluna, con la vida cotidiana de Gerona.:thumbs-up:

Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Laura Gallego, oi (o es escuche?) de ellos en este foro. Gracias. He leido casi todo de ellos que puedo conseguir en EE.UU. sin ponerme en bancarrota.:thumbs-up:

Oye, hay alguien que conozca autores latinoamericanos como LG, CRZ que escriban para lectores jovenes? Ya he leido la trilogia de Allende, muy buena, pero busco mas... para compartir con mis estudiantes. Gracias.

Encontre unas listas de lecturas recomendadas para los de 2o de ESO (8th grade), y vienen llegando a casa, y los leere, pero... mucho de mis estudiantes tienen herencia latinoamericana y creo que les gustarian mas algunas novelas que tengan lugar alli...?:confused:

Hay unas listas parecidas (lecturas recomendadas) para los estudiantes de Latino America? sitios de web donde se las pueda ver? :confused:

Otra cosa: alguien ha compilado una lista de todos estos libros que se la pueda compartir? Gracias.:confused:

Y finalmente: Agradezco cualquier correccion gramatical.:)

[WesleyHH]

Hola.

Hoy he comprado tres libros:

"Death of a nationalist" Rebecca Pawel
"Soldados de Salamina" Javier Cercas Mena
"Homenaje a Cataluña" George Orwell

La primera es la ficción pero otros refieren a hechos reales de la época de la guerra civil.
Porque me interesa mucho este tema, estoy muy emocionado.
¿Podría alguien recomendarme algunos otros libros sobre este tama?

Saludos.

[noia29]

Hand down one of my FAVORITE movies about Spain (and Spanish culture) is El Bosque Animado. I think it is an absolutely fascinating interpretation of Galicia and all of its mystical and colorful culture.

Another movie (this one definately more colorful - albeit it a different kind of colorful) is Laberintos de Pasiones (Almodovar) --- Excellent interpretation of the post-franco movida madrilena --- really just a interesting yet at times sobering (through its flamboyancy) perspective of the political state of Spain in the early 80s.

[Robert Ogan]

No he leido libros de autores hispanohablantes, sino solamente obras que han sido traducido en espanol. He leido "Fatherland" por Robert Harris, unos historias de Harry Pottter en espanol, "Ghost Story" por Peter Straub, y ahora quiero leer un libro de Günter Wallraff que se llama "Cabeza de Turco" (en aleman "Ganz Unten")

[WesleyHH]

Hola
Ayer he visto la película "El Calentito" Chus Gutiérrez. Un fragmento de vida a tres chicas de el grupo punk Las Siux.
La película se desarrolla en el mismo tiempo que hay un golpe de Estado en España conocido como 23-F. En la película mostrando original discurso del Rey Juan Carlos, la cual puso el fin de golpe.

Si alguien está interesado este tema, doy las enlaces:

sobre la película: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Calentito

sobre 23-F: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/23-F

Saludo

[kraig]

The forum proved to be very useful. Especially for beginners in spanish like me. As i am starting to learn spanish it was very useful for me.


---------------
cheap hotel (http://www.glenguesthousedublin.com/)

[Calcetina]

El otro día terminé de leerme El último Catón (The last Cato) de Matilde Asensi. Me ha gustado mucho así que recomiendo su lectura. No digo nada más porque me parece que no hay nada mejor que leer un libro sin saber lo que te vas a encontrar. De todas formas si alguien quiere saber más sobre el libro que busque información por internet, que la hay :D

Chau ;)

[WickmanUK]

I went to see Los Abrazos Rotos at the cinema on Friday evening and really enjoyed it... a good performance from Penélope Cruz.

The film was shown in Spanish with English subtitles.

[WesleyHH]

Hola.
Hace unos días he empezado leer el libro "Te daré la tierra" Chufo Lloréns. Trata de
un chico joven de pueblecito que quiere estar ciudadano de Barcelona.

Resumen del libro desde página www.casadellibro.com (http://www.casadellibro.com) :

La Barcelona del siglo XI abriga en sus murallas dos historias marcadas por el drama, el amor y la ambición. La historia de un joven campesino que logra cambiar su destino con la esperanza de prosperar y hacerse merecedor del amor de una joven de alcurnia, se entremezcla con la del conde de Barcelona, cuyos amores adúlteros sumen a la ciudad en un peligroso conflicto político.
Una novela que une, con maestría, ficción e historia para recrear una Barcelona en la que los pactos, el linaje, las intrigas palaciegas,
la ambición comercial y la convivencia entre religiones se tiñen con las emociones más intensas.

[Berti]

A beautiful film from José Luis Garci (1998) with Fernando Fernán Gomez as lead actor.
Below an in depth critic and short trailer of “El Abuelo” which I recently had the pleasure to watch. One of the central themes is:
¿El honor o El Amor?

http://www.alohacriticon.com/elcriticon/article2076.html (http://www.alohacriticon.com/elcriticon/article2076.html)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjfWelkKKA8&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjfWelkKKA8&feature=related)

[cookewhitley]

HI all,

My favorite spanish film: la lengua de las mariposas
and
Currently reading the History of Spain by Mark Williams which is a terrific summary of Spain to date. I also liked Rivers of Gold by Hugh Thomas.

[Garry Knight]

Just discovered this thread for the first time. My favourite Spanish films are Abre Los Ojos, Volver, Hable con Ella, and El Espíritu de la Colmena. Unfortunately, the only one I've seen in Spanish is Abre Los Ojos, though at some time I'm going to rewatch the others.

My favourite Spanish book is La Sombra del Viento by Carlos Ruiz Zafon which I'm in the middle of reading in English before reading the Spanish version. Next on my buying list is his latest novel, El Juego del Ángel. I've also got Cien Años de Solitud by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Paula, La Ciudad de las Bestias, and Mi Páis Inventado by Isabel Allende; Pastel sin Receta by Lala Isla; and Un Juego de Niños (The Little Friend) by Donna Tart, all in Spanish and all to be read in the weeks and months to come. I'm also looking forward to reading my favourite book of all time in Spanish: La Biblia Envenenado (The Poisonwood Bible) by Barbara Kingsolver.

I'd be interested to know what others think of these books and I look forward to reading the rest of the thread to pick up some ideas for other books to read.

[ferrywayes]

Hey Ben,
Myself Ferry and good to see your question
my favourite book is One of the best books ever,
my movie is the oxford murder.
it is happy to share with you.

Thanks..

[WesleyHH]

Hola
Estoy buscando los subtítulos de la película "Camarón" 2005.
No puedo entender todas las palabras de oido, por eso necesito los subtítulos.
Si alguien de vosotros los tenéis en español o en inglés, os estaría muy agradecido.

[Gem]

I haven't time to read through everything in this thread for now, but has anyone mentioned the newish Argentine film, "El Secreto de Sus Ojos"? I saw it the other day and it was great. A little tricky at times for the accents, but really entertaining and insightful in its everyday cultural details/conversations for someone who has never been to Argentina.

I'm now looking to watch "Perros Callejeros" which is a 1977 film shot in Barcelona, with an interesting history behind it. I heard it's a bit violent, but I'm intrigued to see something that shows some of Bcn's past and the city as it was a little. A ver que tal!

[Grimace]

I can understand pretty close to everything I hear on Spanish TV, but for some reason the dialogue in El secreto de sus ojos proved to be majorly difficult for me to understand. It's a decent film, though.

[Tigre]

Are there any famous good shows in Spanish? Good sitcoms like Friends, King of queens, Everybody likes Raymond or series like CSI, X-Files. Doesn't have to be shows like that or the genre, shows/series that are very famous in Spain that if you say the title on the streets everybody is going wild and talk there favorite episodes ;)

[Tumbit]

My Favourite books on Spain are mainly cookbooks - I love reading the Moro Books, I think it is becuase of the fantastic descriptions of each dish - especially with regards to the history and traditions surrounding them.

[saffron]

Have belatedly read that Mendoza has received el planeta for his novel Riña de gatos. I have read several of his books and he is an interesting author. I bought the first book on a trip to Barcelona which is where he is from.

Here is a link to the article in El País:

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cultura/Tenemos/asumir/Guerra/Civil

if link doesnt work it is El País 16/10/10

:)

[ValenciaSon]

Just read Shadow of the Wind. I really liked its story within a story which takes place in the early part of the 20th century up to the middle, in Barcelona.

[saffron]

same day in Barcelona I purchased a Mendoza book I also bought Zafóns book. I found the extensive vocabulary difficult and tried to read without looking the words up. I believe he has also written books for a younger audience and maybe the vocabulary would beless intense. It seemed appropriate to purchase the book in Barcelona and his descriptions of the city were evocative.