Spain during the Civil War. Imprisoned Republican Doctor da Barca has everything his peasant guard Herbal lacks: intelligence, spiritual freedom and the love of 'the most beautiful woman in the world'. Herbal's internal dialogue with the painter he executed, owner of the carpenter's pencil - the battle between envy and humanity - will decide da Barca's fate. But there's much more in this multi-layered, exceptional piece of story-telling - and thanks to Rivas for making hope intellectually credible!
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 36 September 2006 ) |
