Soldiers of Salamis

"Soldiers of Salamis" is a demanding yet ultimately satisfying read, split up into 3 long chapters and written in Javier Cercas' trademark expansive prose. The first two chapters detail the literary and political career of Rafael Sánchez Mazas, focusing on the fateful day he was to be executed toward the end of the Spanish Civil War. As we learn early on, Sánchez Mazas escapes the firing squad but is discovered by an enemy soldier, who inconceivably turns and walks away, allowing him to go free. The third chapter focuses not so much on the "why" of this unlikely turn of events, but rather the "who", and sends the author on a riveting journey - with surprising results. It's this chapter that elevates this non-fiction from historic tome to gripping literature.

Although I disagreed with the decision to structure the novel as three long chapters, I did appreciate that he saved the best third for last.