Ruta Sepetys
Historical Fiction 2019 | 499 pages
IJosie, I don’t know how you do it. You always unearth not-well-known long books from a few years ago, and they are always stellar, such as this one, The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys.
This is a sweeping, beautifully written historical novel about a time in history you may not know much about, 40 years, beginning in 1939, of leadership under Generalisimo Francisco Franco in Spain. Franco was an oppressive, authoritarian leader, a dictator, a fascist, a cruel leader who cared more about himself than his people. The Fountains of Silence is about what Franco does to attract US investment, hoping to fund his government. He turns old buildings into beautiful structures, and encourages complete support for the oil tycoons, journalists, professors, financial managers and others who want to explore how France can serve their business development.
Our main character is Daniel Matheson, who is visiting Madrid with his oil business owner father and Dallas, Texas socialite mother, for much of the summer of 1957. Ana is a worker in the hotel, who must obey rules the management insists upon, such as not talking shout their own personal lives, and never being with a resident unless fulfilling a specific request. Daniel falls in love with Ana Torres Moreno, but that definitely breaks all the rules.
We follow their relationship as Ana shows Daniel some of the wonders of Madrid. He also becomes friends with her sister Julia and brother Rafa, and Julia’s baby. There are interesting sub-plots. These criss-crossing threads keep me engaged in the book. It is an easy read. Took me just over two days.
A major sub-plot is that Daniel’s father wants Daniel to assume leadership of his oil business in mDallas but Daniel wants to be a photojournalist. He meets Ben, who works at a major magazine and encourages and mentors Daniel in his photojournalist efforts.
And there is Fuga, who wants to crawl his way out of poverty by becoming a bullfighter.
And why are there empty caskets in the pile of infant coffins that came from the orphanage Insula, who specializes in the adoption of young children.
And who is sending Ana threatening notes and, for heaven’s sake, why?
I really enjoyed Fountains of Silence, I learned a great deal about Spain, and also explored family dynamics, love, mystery, resistance to social change, career decisions, cultural clashes on minor issues, such what shoes are important to wear to a particular event, the role of adoption during a post civil war occurrence, and hidden truths. My mist important learning is the one the author seemed to want for us … to explore the silences we all keep; the value of silence; the debilitating aspects of silence; the release of silence; the necessity of being silent no more.
I completely recommend The Fountains of Silence.
June 2026