‘Close to perfection’ Benjamin Myers
The novel that broke Spain’s pact of silence after the death of Franco
Spain, 1937. The Civil War is not yet over, but for the Republicans, it is already lost. Franco’s army is scouring the country for their remaining enemies, and four fugitive soldiers are in hiding, deep in the Cantabrian mountains. Surrender means execution. Winter means starvation. There is no way out – and yet they endure.
A taut and thrilling story of pursuit and evasion, Wolf Moonis also a testament to undying loyalties: to a cause, to justice, and to brothers-in-arms.
Part of the Pushkin Press Classics series: timeless storytelling by icons of literature, hand-picked from around the globe.
Translated by Simon Deefholts and Kathryn Phillips-Miles.
Julio Llamazares (b. 1955) is a poet, novelist, essayist, journalist and screenwriter, whose work has been translated into over twenty languages. He has twice been a finalist for Spain’s National Literature Prize, for Wolf Moon (1985) and The Yellow Rain (1988).
Simon Deefholts and Kathryn Phillips-Miles both studied Romance Languages and Literature at University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and later at Birkbeck College, University of London. They have jointly translated several novels and plays, and they live and work in Spain.
Reviews
A novel so close to perfection that, as a writer, I was immediately engulfed by conflicting feelings of both jealousy and awe over its achievements… Exemplary… As historically valuable as it is powerful, as poetic as it is horrific. It is a treasure
Benjamin Myers
Almost unbearably dramatic despite its short length… plunges the reader into the heart of the Spanish civil war
Irish Times
Llamazares uses stark language and striking images to bring to life one of the most painful episodes in recent Spanish history. Personal drama transcends politics
TLS
Through its reverse lyricism, Wolf Moon portrays war as the senseless business that it is… never losing sight of who it is that stands on the right side of history
New Statesman
Llamazares has written a great lyrical story… This tale is one that should be read aloud around the campfire
La Voz de Galicia
