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Haunting evocation of Spain as it was at the start of the Civil War. The author, age 19, sets out from his English village, takes a boat to Vigo and walks to Almunecar, making his living (mostly) by busking with his violin. Poetic descriptions of the landscapes, the heat, the people he meets; the trenchant poverty, religion, the beginnings of the Civil War. Highly recommended.

Well paced, well envisaged, believable characters (somewhat stereotyped at times). Decent plot and very readable. While set in an imaginary future, has accurate historical detail.