The Bitter Taste of Time

by Bea: Gonzalez

Book by

Genres: Spain, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Kim Rozwadowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong women shaped by history in their small town in Galicia, Spain. They were strong, stubborn and determined to succeed in spite of the hardships that followed them through time. I really had a sense of their connection to family and their culture.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A SAGA!

[Dorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it, didn't love it. Still, I think this book is worth a read.

The book description promised that this story of the Encarna family, a group of diverse women living in Galicia, Spain would be mixture of amusing and tragic tales. Overall, though, the focus is definitely on the tragic...the title of the book doesn't lie...

However, the book gives an interesting look at life in small town Spain from the 1920s through the 1990s. The characters live through several periods of political upheavel in their country, yet, with the exception of one terrible scene, are largely unaffected by the changes happening outside of their sleepy town, where local gossip is far more interesting than distant wars.

[Melinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I have read any Spanish writers before so don't know if this is a typical book. It is the story of a family of women in Spain- from the matriarch, Maria to her great granddaughter, Gloria and all the sisters and mothers and aunts in between. Men are present but only briefly and extraneously. It is a story of Spain from the early part of the 20th century to the late years and the changes that are wrought within the family, the small town where the women live, the region of Spain. Despite all this, I didn't get a real feel for the country or the people. Though the food was described in great detail, little else was. To me it was just a long rambling tale of woe and not really much to recommend it.

[Carly Svamvour]

This is one of the books beside my bed, that I call my 'stash' . . . I pick it up every once in a while.

I didn't think I was going to like it - had meant to just file in the office under author's name and see if it came to light at some time.

But the other day I picked it up and read a few chapters - then began reading aloud to Jeff. I read aloud at least twice a day. It's a 'ritual' we have.

I suspect the reason I've come to like the story is because there's a lot of Spanish words and names to roll off my tongue.

...............

Jan 15, 2k10 - I didn't finish this . . . just didn't seem to be going anywhere. Might try it again sometime.

[Amy Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it - in the style of Garcia Marquez, I don't know how they do that dry, wry but emotional description, but I really like it. Portrays the tension between the conservative/religious culture and people's actual experiences and feelings. Update: I've finished it and what a story! The characters were amazing, slightly caricaturish, but memorable and funny! I told my son who writes comic book stories that this is one for him - it would make a great adaptation.

[An-D Koenig-Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful. It told the story of the Encarna women from 1920 until today. Each woman has their own personalities, desires, and major obstacles to overcome. This is a book filled with heartbreak and tragedy, but the women are all the stronger for it. A wonderful read, I was sad to see it the last page.

[Nicholas Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of four generations of women who run an inn in Galicia is full of intriguing characters and spans much of Spain's turbulent 20th century. It flows quickly and I plan to read it again.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9a...

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is just amazing.
Just!

Amazing!

[Jean Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

read in 2000 and still own so I must have liked although I really don't remember it

[Folkheart Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written...

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5