Nicholas Shakespeare

Well written but unsatisfying as a coherent story. At this remove, nearly forty years, the fervour of Marxist terrorists is difficult to comprehend. The novel doesn't uncover anything much in way of motivations and commitment to the bloody cause of the two main protagonists. Twenty years in prison for Gabriel, and the same length of time in a convent for Elena are considerations that don't seem to resonate with the lovers or, at least, they are not touched upon.
The vision itself is hurriedly explained away in a rather farcical way at the end. At the end of the book, the feeling of hopelessness establishes itself firmly. There is just no redeeming feature to any character stuck beside the river in a town called Belén (Bethlehem).
Aside from this, Nicholas Shakespeare writes well and with intelligence.… (mer)

At heart a simple tale of a thwarted love in late middle age. The story takes place in Abyla an enclave on the African shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. Often comic, with stock figures, not least of whom is Thomas Wavery, the out-of-favour British Consul.
The story clears itself once the parade of characters is developed. Then, among the side issues of construction of a tunnel to Europe, and an impending Royal Visit, the Consul's ardent hope that a new relationship will develop with a visit from his recent love drives the plot.
An imaginative, informed and moving novel.… (mer)