The Quick Cut: An eighteen year old boy finds his life and heart opened when he visits Spain in 1957. Dark secrets are uncovered and alliances tested.
A Real Review:
Historical fiction is an intriguing area of literature. The author is attempting to tell their own original story within the restricted confines of a particular place and time frame. In this story that primarily centers around a teenager named Daniel, a fascinating tale is not only told, but some essential history is also brought to light.
Daniel is the teen son of a new oil tycoon spending time with his parents in Madrid before starting his higher education. Although he originates from Texas, his mother is from Spain and finds himself enraptured by the country. In the midst of being run by a dictator, he finds himself wishing to see the true story underneath it all, being hidden from the American businessmen and tourists. It's in this complex place that he meets Ana and sees the true Spain while also letting his real hopes for the future unfold.
This is a fairly long book, but considering the historical aspect and the quotes from actual historical figures - it's actually much shorter than the page count lets on. There are so many moving parts working in tandem to get to that final resolution, it's impressive how they piece together. However, I did find myself wishing that the end story began a little sooner. It doesn't get going until the final fifty pages or so, which makes that aspect feel rushed.
The reason I'm rating this story as high as I am is truly due to Daniel. Without his character, the rating would be very different. His personality is so essential to making this so readable and drawing you in, it actually hampers the story. More time should've been spent polishing the other characters and making the transitions smoother.
With a history that needs to be told, this story is one that will speak to you.
My rating: 4 out of 5