Whatever you do... Don't Miss the Fiesta.

Costa Tropical News July Issue Book Review

DON´T MISS THE FIESTA!

"As soon as he saw the village, Scully knew he would stay. Security and cosiness, an air of permanence, emanated from the flock of tiny dwellings nuzzling about the old church, warm in their togetherness amid the bleakness of the sierras. It was a womb. And far enough from the rest of the world. He knew he would stay.” And he stays and decides to settle in Benamargo to leave behind a dark past as a successful businessman and unhappy husband. And in this Spanish village he finds refuge and unexpectedly falls in love with innocent Marisa, a ray of light and hope in a new life. But under the quiet appearance of Benamargo it hides a society anchored in time under the dominion of an old school Catholic priest , father Saturnino, who has become the only and unquestionable authority of the village , displacing even the democratically elected mayor, together with the Cofradía de las Ánimas (Brotherhood of Spirits). A bunch of men in charge of maintaining the traditional catholic-faith-based way of life where there is no place for sin or misbehaviour.

Our man is forced to fight against these entrenched habits in order to success in his pursuit of loving Marisa and escape from his past; "the witches nudged one another and whispered," Shameless, shameless”, they muttered among themselves. Their target was less Scully than Marisa. Men after all, were expected to sow their wild oats. Women should conserve themselves intact until they walked up the aisle, and those who did not, well... ". But the ghosts from the past also come into play when he receives an unexpected visit from England. Tragedy and blackmail is what these ghosts bring with them In this situation, Should they, beloved couple, stay or should they go...?

As Easter approaches the community seeks someone to expiate their sins, but who is without sin cast the first stone, and remember, whatever you do...

Don’t Miss the Fiesta!

 

 Beautiful descriptions of Andalusian wonderful landscape as well as witty portraits of Benamargo inhabitans are to be found in this amusing novel by David Baird, great connoisseur of every little aspect of Southern Spain life