About this title: David Imaz has spent many years living in exile on a ranch in California, far from his native Basque Country. Nearing fifty and in failing health, he decides to write the story of his youth in the village of Obaba, and the powerful, sweeping narrative that ensues takes the reader from 1936 to 1999. As a young man, David divides his time between his Uncle Juan's ranch and his life in the village, where he reluctantly practises the accordion, a tradition which his authoritarian father insists that he continue. He becomes increasingly aware of the long shadow cast by the Spanish Civil War ...
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Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Date Published: 2/3/2009
ISBN-13:9781555975173ISBN:1555975178
Description: New. 1555975178 Brand New Book With Remainder Mark. May Have Slight Shelf Wear. In-Stock Now For Immediate Secure Packaging & Delivery. read more
Description: Good. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Your purchase also supports literacy charities. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Graywolf Pr
Date Published: 2009-02-03
ISBN-13:9781555975173ISBN:1555975178
Description: NEW. Hardcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9781555975173. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781555975173ISBN:1555975178
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Description: Good. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Your purchase also supports literacy charities. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 02/10/2008
ISBN-13:9780099492771ISBN:0099492776
Description: Used-Good. Book in good or better condition. Dispatched same day from warehouse. Please email with any questions for quick response. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781555975173ISBN:1555975178
Description: As New. No Jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. This is a softcover Advance Uncorrected Proof in new/unread condition. Translated from the Spanish. Pictorial cover and a very nice reading copy! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Date Published: 2009
ISBN-13:9781555975173ISBN:1555975178
Description: Fine. Graywolf Press 2009 SOFTCOVER. Prerelease version. Glossy pictorial wraps. From Starred Review. Axtaga returns to Obaba, the fictional village at the heart of his acclaimed novel Obabakoak, to tell a gorgeous and ambitious story about the Basque land and language. Much of the is set in the 1960s, when David Imaz, the teenage son of an accordionist, begins to suspect his father participated in the execution of villagers accused of being Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. Twenty ... read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099492771ISBN:0099492776
Description: New. David Imaz has spent many years living in exile on a ranch in California, far from his native Basque Country. Nearing fifty and in failing health, he decides to write the story of his youth in the village of Obaba, and the powerful, sweeping narrative... read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Harvill Secker
Date Published: 03/01/2008
ISBN-13:9781843432807ISBN:1843432803
Description: Used-Good. Book in good or better condition. Dispatched same day from warehouse. Please email with any questions for quick response. read more
Description: New. As David Imaz, on the threshold of adulthood, divides his time between his uncle Juan's ranch and his life in the village, he becomes increasingly aware of the long shadow cast by the Spanish Civil War. Letters found in a hotel attic lead David to un... read more
Description: Good. 1555975178 Good condition. May have some markings & or shelfwear. All pages intact. Used items may not include extras such as infotrac, CD or other web access codes. read more
Description: New. PLEASE NOTE: All books are promptly imported from the UK using International Priority Airmail. Delivery is typically 5-10 working days. Please do not select expedited shipping. Heavier and more expensive items have tracking number. Professional and reliable bookseller (est.1987). read more
Description: New. David Imaz has spent many years living in exile on a ranch in California, far from his native Basque Country. Nearing fifty and in failing health, he decides to write the story of his youth in the village of Obaba, and the powerful, sweeping narrative that ensues takes the reader from 1936 to 1999. As a young man, David divides his time between his Uncle Juan's ranch and his life in the village, where he reluctantly practises the accordion, a tradition which his authoritarian father ... read more
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9781843432807ISBN:1843432803
Description: New. As a young man, David divides his time between his Uncle Juan's ranch and his life in the village, where he reluctantly practises the accordion, a tradition which his authoritarian father insists that he continue. He becomes increasingly aware of the... read more
"One of my best friends is Basque, and his family moved from the Basque Country around 1965 to Bakersfield in order to become sheep herders and cattle ranchers. I also have an inherent interest in the Spanish Civil War.
That said, I was excited to see this book at the library given that it's about a Basque man who emigrates to Visalia with the ghosts of The Spanish Civil War and Basque separatist movement on his heels.
But for whatever reason I didn't find this book compelling. Perhaps it's because it was translated into English so maybe something got lost.
I think the main reason is that I never quite knew what the main thrust of this book was about. The Spanish Civil War is present, but by no means is this a book about The Spanish Civil War. The protagonist is an immigrant to California, but this isn't an immigrant's tale. There are some romantic threads, but they feel like haphazard sub-plots than anythings else.
If there could be a through line it could be the conflict between father and son, hence the title, but I still couldn't get any real sense of who the father was other than a black and white caricature of The Bad Guy.
Interesting subject matter, but I'm glad I finally got through this book and can go onto something else.
If you want to talk to a crazy and hilarious character, track down Melchor Senior down in Bakersfield, buy him a shot and a beer, and listen to the stories ensue."
"Atmospheric and yes, often a bit clunky, perhaps due to the translation and perhaps not. The bulk of the narrative is purportedly a memoir written by the main character David, which is then given to his friend Joseba after his death, and interwoven with Joseba's own recollections. It's in turn a coming of age story in the mythical village of Obaba, then a shorter history about the Civil War in Obaba, and then an even shorter story about the characters as Basque separatists, as well as a brief love story which takes place at a later time. The most interesting plot points are left to the fringes of the book.
Nevertheless it left me with enough curiosity to be intrigued about Atxaga's other Obaba book called Obabakoak (Which supposedly translates to something close to "The things and people of the village of Obaba"). There is also a movie based on the stories of Obabakoak.
It's worth noting for The Accordionist's Son that Atxaga's real name is in fact Joseba."
"one of atxaga's most accessbile novels, back in obaba, and dealing with the Sovereignty fight against fascist spain, finally. this will be a classic in the canon."
"Was given this book whilst trekking in the north of India by a Spanish woman named Aida. The text was in Spanish but my efforts to not only read but comprehend the words was beyond me. Finally read it in English.
Interesting bit of Spanish history but it took me a bit to get into the story. Perhaps I have been too distracted of late. Would recommend to anyone who likes reading about Spain."
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