The Fountains of Silence Book Cover

The Fountains of Silence


A Young Adult Historical Fiction Novel


Subgenres:

  • Francoist Spain,
  • Forbidden Love,
  • Coming-of-Age
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This book is for you if you're into...

  • Historical fiction set in postwar Spain under Franco
  • Stories where photography uncovers secrets and hidden truths
  • Novels with vintage media and oral history woven into the narrative
Publisher Description

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, unforgettable portrait of love, silence, and secrets amidst a Spanish dictatorship.

Madrid, 1957. Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into the country under the welcoming guise of sunshine and wine. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of a Texas oil tycoon, who arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother's birth through the lens of his camera.

Photography—and fate—introduce him to Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War—as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. Daniel's photographs leave him with uncomfortable questions amidst shadows of danger. He is backed into a corner of decisions to protect those he loves. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city.

This epic, heart-wrenching novel explores identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence—inspired by the true post-war struggles of Spain. Includes vintage media interstitials, oral history commentary, photos, and more.

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