Arantxa's review
I loved reading this book, I found it very engaging right from the beginning. My favourite character throughout the whole book would have to be Ana, she caught my interest because of the numerous secrets she had to keep as her secrets where a danger to her and her family. As the book went on and explained her secrets it made me feel empathy and like this character even further.

This book taught me many things about what it was like in Spain during Franco’s rule after the civil war and how the fascist regime affected everyone in Spain deeply. For example; I learnt that during his rule children from republican families or republican parents were treated terribly and were in constant danger, much like Ana’s family. Also I learnt, much to my horror, that children were stolen from mothers at childbirth and mothers were told their children had died. The stolen children were then put up for adoption to fascist families, which were thought to be better than the other poor or republican families they were initially born into.

 What made this time period which the book was set in so interesting to me was that, I am from Spain and whilst having strong ties to my heritage there I know near to nothing about the history of the country. My abuela, grandmother, was raised during this period of time (1950s) in Spain when Franco still had his regime in place. All that I know about Spain during this time comes from her, I also know that my great-gradnfather fought in this civil war. This period of time hits close to home for me and was a way for me to learn more about my history and my countries history.

The plot was very serious and thought-provoking, it gave a very real and vivid insight to the lives of people during that time. It dealt mostly overall with the idea of fear during Spain’s dictatorship, specifically the peoples fear of saying the wrong things or stepping out of line. It also dealt with the ideas of secrets and the oppressive silence the people of Spain had to deal with this silence that was made a norm was repetitively referred to in the book as shackles/ chains. The ending really resonated with me as it said at the very end that the truth has to be told as it would set them all free, I thought this book as a whole was very powerful and I thoroughly enjoyed the love story weaved into the book and how it tied in with the effects of the dictatorship and the war.