Miracle in Seville

by James A. Michener

America's bestselling author transports readers to magical Seville, Spain, at Easter time, a season of splendid pageantry, exciting bullfights, deep piety--and miracles. An American journalist, sent to Seville on assignment to cover the efforts of a rancher to revive his once proud line of bulls--uncovers a story that shakes his newspaperman's hard-bitten pragmatism. 26 illustrations.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Spain, Classics, Adventure, Audiobook

107 pages, Hardcover

First published October 17, 1995

About the author

James Albert Michener is best known for his sweeping multi-generation historical fiction sagas, usually focusing on and titled after a particular geographical region. His first novel, Tales of the South Pacific , which inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific, won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for the year's best short story published by an emerging Canadian writer; founded an MFA program now, named the Michener Center for Writers, at the University of Texas at Austin; and made substantial contributions to the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, best known for its permanent collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and a room containing Michener's own typewriter, books, and various memorabilia.

Michener's entry in Who's Who in America says he was born on Feb. 3, 1907. But he said in his 1992 memoirs that the circumstances of his birth remained cloudy and he did not know just when he was born or who his parents were.

Reviews

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well once again, I have found that some of the most beautiful books have been on my bookshelves for many years. Having just read Miracle in Seville by James A Michener and the lovely drawn illustrations by John Fulton, an American matador de toros who has lived and practiced his art in Seville for over thirty years. Mr. Michener published this enchanting book in 1995. Returning to Spain, this magical novel of Seville takes place during the three weeks of Eastertide, culminating during the faith and pageantry of Easter. There is also the tradition of the bullfights amid the faith and religious devotion and self-sacrifice. There are also miracles abound. The tale is about an American journalist sent to Spain on assignment to report on the efforts of the rancher Don Cayetano Moto is making to revive his once-proud line of bulls by praying to the Virgin Mary as well as taking on taxing acts of solemn celebration during Holy Week. So strong is his faith he endures his bulls' humiliation in the ring and the taunts of the arrogant matador Gomez who has at his side Magdalena, a Gypsy fortune-teller determined that her brother will prevail in the ring in spite of danger. What ensues is the story that the journalist discovers as he goes deeper into life's mysteries and opens his eyes to the wonder of faith as he witnesses miracles in Seville.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 26 drawings by American matador, John Fulton are an added bonus.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small story on faith, bulls, and el matadors in Spain.

[Lauren Hiebner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story by Michener, he describes the bullfight culture in Spain. He reveals the spiritual influences both good and bad pitting the Catholic Church against the Gypsies of Tirana. I can relate having been in Seville, in the church of Tirana, and having attended bullfights. There is something majestic and mystical about bullfights. This was a fun read with a surprise at the end.

[Earle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Michnener is one of my favorite authors, but this novel was a real stinker. Not one of his best efforts. Although it was very descriptive of Seville and the Holy Week feria, it was poorly developed with weak dialogue and a puzzling plot.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have ever been interested in the who, what, why, when, and how of bull fighting (a little less of 'who'), this book will pretty much walk you through the steps. I was ignorant of the entire process, and this book made it very clear (and graphic). The story within was 'different', but helped keep the entire story interesting.

[Peacejanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the usual Michener book. It is very short but, as usual, Michener has researched his site well. The book has lovely descriptions of the area and of a bull breeding farm. Michener's main character is a reporter for a sports magazine. He is known for his unique stories with a different twist. He makes contact with the owner of a once famous, now fading, bull breeding farm. The owner wants to bring back the strong breed that once made the farm famous. He lets the reporter tag along with him. One of the required things that the breeder does is go to the church (Catholic) and pray for a long time before every fight that one of his bulls will be in. He seems to pray especially to the Virgin Mary. The reporter goes everywhere with him, restaurants to eat, bars to talk to people afterward, going to check the bulls before the bullfights and the owner always invites the reporter to sit with hm in his box. The reporter and the reader learn a lot about bull fighting, the selection of bulls for each fighter, the attendants to the bull fighter. The reporter witnesses a miracle or two. He talks to one of the bull fighter's sister, a witch, and she tells him some of his fortune.
This is a lovely little book - well worth the read. Perhaps you have to believe in miracles and fortune telling and divine spirits to enjoy this book. I do.

[Karen Jett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since James Michener passed away, I have been saving this book as there are so few of his books I haven't read...I liked having one on my bookshelf waiting for me.

I enjoyed this book as it is a delightful and fanciful story. But, having read most of what Mr. Michener has written, it is more of a short story than a book. So, if you've ever wanted to try reading James Michener but were afraid of the size of his books, this is a good place to begin.

[Juliet K · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few Michener books that I could read in less than a decade. I tried to read 2 other books of his and though I like his perspective, they are incredibly slow going. This one was far less painful.

Not a topic I’d expect to be into at all ... but he drew me in.

Definitely worth the read.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Michener. This was different than I expected, more magical and narrative than I expected. Really interesting!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about a ranch owner's mystic relationship with his bulls and his dedication to restoring honor to his family in this Spanish tradition.

[Inger Faherty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow moving, awkward narration style. Too much background, not enough story.

[Bob Spears · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story. Bit of a twist at the end.

[Laronda Blessing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, mystical read. I learned a lot about bullfighting--and never want to see it--and the characters and story are quite compelling.

[Cherish Behrendt · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first and last Michener book.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reviews on this story are mixed, but I really enjoyed it. Michener, storyteller par excellence, describes people, places, and events that make me feel like I am there with him. In this case the narrator is an American sportswriter. Shemstone is on assignment to research an article on Don Cayetano Moto and his efforts to restore the fame of the Moto herd.

Moto does penance and cries out to the Virgin Mary (statue) for his bulls to win favor.

One of the matadors, Lazaro Lopez, a Gypsy who in cowardice treats bulls with vulgarity, relies on his sister, a Gypsy fortune teller, to bring him success to the demise of Moto, who he thinks has magical powers and a curse against him. The end, which I must not divulge, brings both honor and tragedy.

As for the sportswriter, his eyes are opened to piety, faith, and sacrifice as he watches Moto, and personally experiences the supernatural/magical realm for himself.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

In contrast to Michener’s sprawling 1000+ page epics, this novella’s audio listening time was just over three hours. Michener was a great storyteller but I found this one a bit unsatisfying, partly because of its subject matter, partly because of its mix of Catholic miracle and gypsy mysticism, and partly because the outcome of the book’s main conflict somehow didn’t seem right to me.

My exposure to the subject matter, bullfighting, is limited to one afternoon as a spectator at a ring in Mexico City, and reading Hemingway. I know there are those who find it artistic, thrilling, even beautiful. To me it is merely brutal. If you’re really bothered by descriptions of the “sport”, this story is not for you. Despite my feelings about bullfighting I was able to tolerate it as a framework for a compelling story, but as stated I found the denouement disappointing.

[Faye Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michener describes the art of the bull fight, the technique of the matadors and their team, what makes a ‘good’ bull along with the color and culture of Spain. The narrator of the tale is an American reporter who comes to Spain to do a story on the owner of the ranch raising Moto bulls. He spends his time with Don Cayetano, following the fate of his bulls and the ranch’s reputation all the way to the end of the story where the ‘magic’ of the ranch’s revival and the bulls greatness is revealed.

[Abigail Pruszinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, interesting, and unique. This book was initially a gift to my Uncle Steven from my Mom, during her time in Seville. At first, I thought it was an informative short story about bull fighting and the Spring Féria in the titular city. As I read, however, there was a much greater theme of spirituality that was captivating. It was nice to understand words or references to landmarks and Spanish culture because of my education. The ending was a little strange. I loved the style and message of each of the illustrations!

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this primarily because of my interest in Spain and Spanish traditions. It seems like the kind of book I would have read back when I was studying Spanish as a graduate student, so I was surprised that I had not - until I realized that it was not published until a decade later.
I attended a couple of bullfights while I was in Spain as a student, so I had some knowledge of them. I have mixed feelings about using animals in this way, and from what I have read, the popularity of bullfighting in Spain has decreased significantly since I was there (over 40 years ago). I also took an interest in the religious festival of Semana Santa in Sevilla, though I only attended as a spectator and never got the inside look that the narrator of this story does. But the book was very interesting to me because of my interest and background.

[Rick Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in Madrid, and had just watched the bullfights in Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, and wanted to learn a little more about what I just watched. I remembered reading 'Mexico' many years ago, and what I remembered from that book helped me with the spectacle I had watched. I was hoping that this book would also help me understand what I'd witnessed.

'Miricle...' did offer some help, but really was more of a short fable. Not bad, but not necessarily what I was expecting, and without the research and depth of other Michener novels I've read in the past.

[JennanneJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A brief story I wish I'd read before I went to Spain. It's most useful for understanding some of the finer aspects of bullfighting, which I knew nothing about when I attended my first corrida in Sevilla.

Overall, not a super engaging story to me, but the information about bullfighting and the illustrations still made it a book worth reading to me.

[Niniane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many details about Holy Week in Seville, and bullfighting. What constitutes a popular bullfight, the stages of teasing and then killing the bull, etc.

The story and characters were straightforward, with not much nuance. Each character is driven by a singular obsessive goal.

It was a short book, just 1.5 hours to read.

[David Wean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up in advance of a trip to Andalusia, to get some local flavor. We'll be too early for bullfighting (just as well) but it gave me a sense of Seville (at least in, presumably, the 70's).

The writing was enjoyable, and it was refreshing to not have to commit to an 800 page work to get a taste of a place.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I am not a fan of bull fighting I am definitely a fan of James Michener so on a friend’s recommendation I read this title. Michener certainly uses his way with words and writing to present the full picture of what bullfighting is all about in Spain. There is a bit of magic and fantasy in this telling. A short and very enjoyable read.

[Vincent Darkhelm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can't be doing with bullfighting. A lot of wankers torturing innocent animals. But that isn't my reason for the one star. The fact is that Michener, great as he was, was not a talented short story writer. I know he won the Pulitzer for Tales of the South Pacific, but even that pales in comparison to his later, epic, works.

[Suzanne Keetch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short read, but very interesting. I feel like I know much more about bullfighting than I ever did before and may even want to attend one day.

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story (103 pages) about bull fighting in Spain. A little bit out of my normal interests, but worth the time.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 3/4 stars

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

The magical world of bullfighting and the honor the raisers of the bulls take on when they have great Linage, Can even led to magical happenings. A little unusual for Michener but interesting.