Breaking the Silence: A Novel of Spain’s Civil War

by Maria J. Nieto

On a sweltering summer day, the streets of Old Madrid that once resonated with the laughter of children playing are empty and silent. But inside the apartment buildings there is life as families faithfully wait for updates about an army uprising in Spanish Morocco. Before long, their greatest fears come true. As rebel troops storm Madrid and chaos fills the streets, six-year-old Mari wonders why she cannot go outside to play. Unfortunately, she has no idea she is about to be trapped inside the abyss of what is rapidly becoming a ruthless civil war.

Already emotionally wounded by the absence of her mother, Mari attempts to go about her fear-filled days living with her fathers family, which includes a grandfather who lovingly teaches her about the history leading up to the conflict. As she embarks on a coming-of-age journey submerged in the darkness of war, Mari somehow stays alive despite the decisions of an intimidating, ruthless dictator, starvation, and brainwashing by the new Fascist regime. But when circumstances lead her to inadvertently commit the ultimate betrayal, Mari must face the horrifying consequences of her actions.

Breaking the Silence shares the compelling tale of a little girl's experiences as she attempts to survive amid the horror and death surrounding the Spanish Civil War.

Audible Audio

First published April 1, 2015

Reviews

[Bob Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little is heard about the Spanish Civil War nowadays, which is a pity, because it was one of the defining events of the 20th Century, when Fascism first flexed its muscles, on the way to trying to take over the world. Here, we have a fascinating combination of the perceptions of a young girl, reported by the intelligent old lady she had grown into.
I am a strong believer in the proper use of Point Of View (POV), of presenting the story from within the reality of one of its participants. However, every rule has its exceptions. The POV in this story is always the author’s -- the wise old lady’s -- but despite this, the world of the little girl is vividly brought to life.
In fact, I shared her grandmother’s anguish when little Mari suffered terrible injuries from an exploding shell, cheered on the ordinary people of Madrid fighting against Franco’s army, backed by the German air force and tanks -- I was THERE, in the story.
There are many admirable people in the novel. I don’t know if they are fictional or historical, nor does it matter. I admire Mari’s grandfather, the idealistic worker philosopher. His interactions with the little girl are delightful, and he is a person worthy of respect. Then there is her uncle, sheltering her in a little village, and a teenage Moorish soldier, who all present the best in what it is to be human, in stark contrast to the bestiality of others who rape and torture. The contrast of described horror to their nobility is particularly effective.
Being an obsessive editor, I always find typos and other technical mistakes in whatever I read. I’m very impressed that this self-published book has very few of them. It is technically better than many a book from major publishing houses.
This is a powerful book, a book to make you think, and question, and at times, to cry.
And the ending will take you by surprise.

[Catherine Townsend-Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Wow!

I was given this book by a book rep for Author, Maria J Nieto, and all I can say is wow what a fascinating read. Not only does the readers get an in-depth look at Spain's Civil War through generations of family and this little girls eyes, but the trauma she also endured is amazing.
I could relate to her traumatic experiences, and she is truly a survivor. Maia did a exceptional job with her writing, and it is a deep felt journey. It was interesting that all she had been through in her childhood that she in her adulthood spent some years in the Navy. But I am sure from her own mental and emotional trauma and experiences, was not a surprise that she studied in nursing and mental health.

The story is incredible, and a worth while read for all, especially readers who are history buffs. I can tell you I learned much as I read this book. And sometimes? That is a rare thing that a book and author can accomplish. . . Great Job Maria!

Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon

[Biswanath Banerjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Mari is leading an army of four in a secret war ……….
She is too young to conceptualize what war actually means-but she has already seen enough of it-in roadside trenches, in flying mortars, in whistling bullets, in scream of dying men, in smell of burning flesh………..
She is too young to realize her nation is now sitting on a heap of gunpowder-any moment which can blast-perhaps waiting for the matchstick…….
All she knew that she and her friends are women of Spain-and the glory of the land rests on their little shoulders. Mari-has to read a coded message which will help them in the war.
What war? Against whom they are fighting it?

Full review at

https://jayasreesown.wordpress.com/20...

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fictionalized socio-biographical account of a young girl growing up, partly in Madrid and partly in the Castilian countryside, during the time of the Spanish Civil War, as well as in its devastating aftermath, when Spain came under a repressive totalitarian regime, is both heartwarming and poignant. Rather than sticking to the point of view of the central character, Mari, who starts out as “a small six-year-old child who … woke up one morning to the preamble of what would become an upside-down world of adult confusion and fear,” Maria J. Nieto, who herself is a survivor of the same period in Spain, and who later became a mental health professional in the United States, has chosen to relate the narrative in third person from both the level of a child growing up in a tempestuous and deeply troubled world, and from that of the adults who played an important part in her life. The unique perspective that such variation in perspective allows enables the reader to grasp the full significance of the conflict through the eyes of both young and old, making this work a truly cross-generational study of the implications of civil war. The potential audience for Breaking the Silence: A Novel of Spain’s Civil War is, therefore, very broad. One can place this novel on a par with Anne Frank’s Diary, and it deserves similar recognition.

Although the pithy and unsentimental tone of Breaking the Silence is gut-punching in its harshness, strong elements of compassion for both sides are clearly evident. Despite the brutalities committed by the Moroccan invaders under Spanish Fascist command, the redeeming qualities of the young soldier Boabdil are revealed in an astoundingly humane and empathetic way: “He grew sad, always tired and homesick in a strange, unfriendly land.” The simplicity and directness of the story should be enough to stir even the most war-hardened heart, and Breaking the Silence should be considered for therapeutic ends with those who have been traumatized by having had to endure situations of military conflict.

In addition, for those with an interest in all things Iberian, and who find the unflinching spirit of the stoical Spaniard admirable in its strength and resilience against what has often seemed to be insurmountable odds, Breaking the Silence: A Novel of Spain’s Civil War is bound to be received with warmth and gusto. Nieto has done her subject proud, and deserves the highest acclaim for her heroic commitment to the passionate support of those among whom she was born and raised.

[Sonia Doble Cuántico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha encantado esta novela. Narrada de una forma peculiar, a medida que lees vas queriendo saber qué va a pasar. He llorado bastante en ciertos puntos porque empatizas y te saca esa emoción ancestral que guardamos de todos nuestros antepasados. Me veía venir el final pero aún así no deja de sorprender. Quizás el único pero que le pongo es que hay cosas que se hacen repetitivas porque se narran desde varios puntos de vista y en vez de aportar el dato nuevo, lo vuelve a recapitular todo. Por lo demás todo genial! Me ha gustado que cada personaje te conquiste y detestes detalles, porque así es la realidad, nunca estamos de acuerdo todos en todo. Enhorabuena a la autora!

[Susan Heffner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift as I do like historical fiction. I really had never read anything about the Spanish Civil war. The characters were very good. The main character a child and her family and their struggles during the war were interesting. I did learn some history and the characters were well developed as was the story. The ending was a bit of a surprise as it turns to religion in the very end. I would recommend this well done book.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read this book as I wanted to have a better understanding of the civil war in Spain, however, I found myself drawn into the story and I couldn't put it down.

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quiet little story chocked full of sobering questions answered from an ethereal place.