Review by Choice Review
A guide for anyone interested in the life and works of this prolific 20th-century Spanish author, this volume provides, in the absence of a biography of Martin Gaite, invaluable information on how her experiences impacted her development as a writer. O'Leary and Ribeiro de Menezes organize each chapter around specific titles or genres, starting with Martin Gaite's first work, Entre visillos (1957), and cover essays, drama, poetry, and children's literature in addition to novels. The authors include segments from censors' reports, when available, adding an interesting angle to understanding of the government's reading strategies as applied to Martin Gaite's works. One not only learns how Martin Gaite created a space for her ideas in spite of political constraints, but also comes to appreciate her stand regarding such humanistic issues as the need to communicate with others and the importance of reading as the road to self-discovery and engagement. The authors bring a variety of critical voices to the discussion, thus opening a dialogue among critical perspectives. Anyone interested in Spanish society after the Spanish Civil War--scholars of history and the social sciences as well as literature--will benefit from this book. All quotes from Martin Gaite's work are translated. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers. O. B. Gonzalez Loyola University of Chicago
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
