“Unforgettable”. “Deep and true”. These are just two of the many accolades heaped on this novel, without a doubt one of the most beautiful in the Spanish language on the subject of love. This eternal and universal theme is expressed through an aging farmer’s last great love and last great passion. The love: a grandson who evokes all his tenderness and affection. The passion: a woman who fills his last days with light and satisfaction.
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Editorial Reviews
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Text: Spanish
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most beautiful books ever written...,
By
This review is from: LA Sonrisa Etrusca (Spanish Edition) (Hardcover)
(Translated as "The Etruscan Smile") Sampedro, one of Spain's most preeminent authors, was born in Barcelona and spent his youth in Tangiers. His books are known in Spain for their beautiful prose.Written in 1985, "The Etruscan Smile" was inspired by his grandson's birth, and is a tender, touching story of an old man from Calabria (Italy) who, due to his failing health, travels to Milan to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and his new grandson. The old man does not appreciate the big city and misses the country ways (even his old village nemesis). He certainly does not approve of the way his son and wife are raising his grandson, with whom he bonds immediately. The story really involves the last two months of the old man's life and the surprising and fulfilling relationships he forms with his infant grandson, an old lady friend, and a young college student and his professor. The writing is tremendous and this is possibly one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet, loving, tender, with a touch of sadness.,
By A Customer
This review is from: La Sonrisa Etrusca (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)
I read this book in its original language. I can see why this book was displayed in every bookstore in my visits to Spain. I just had to read it. Bruno, the grandfather and a veteral of WWII, finds himself in Milan, a city which from the very beginning he hates. But this same city brings him the last two loves of his live: Hortensia, a southern Italian woman who he marries during his last days, and his infant grandson, Brunnetino, who inspires the old man to feel needed and loved in a very special way. This is a book that everyone who has ever experienced love (any type of love) must read!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
EL DESPERTAR DEL HOMBRE,
By Luis Méndez (Republica Dominicana) - See all my reviews
This review is from: La Sonrisa Etrusca (Spanish Edition) (Paperback)
El despertar del hombre.En el principio se me hizo cuesta arriba este autor con ese estilo y siendo desconocido para mí, la empecé a leer con cierta reticencia, sin saber si llegaría al final, tarde cerca de un mes en terminarla, pero ciertamente valió la pena el esfuerzo de sobreponerme a su estilo y encontrar las voces que pueblan esta obra mágica, digna de aclamación. Trata la misma del despertar del hombre, de un hombre que al final de sus días descubre que la vida va mucho mas allá de lo que el siempre pensó, de lo que imagino. Un viejo roble, un guerrero, conociendo en la decadencia la otra mitad de su ser, la ternura del amor encontrado; no de ese amor carnal que siempre disfruto, sino de la verdadera ternura, de la dedicación por el otro, del apego, la inocencia, de cosas que siempre pensó pertenecían a las mujeres o a las maricas o a las gentes de Milán con todas sus delicadezas de señorítos bien educados y sus conocimientos de libros. Es la historia de un amor tardío, pero que en realidad no es tardío, pues necesitaba estar en ese tiempo para poder amar así. Habría desdeñado todo eso en su juventud pues no conocía o no quería conocer que el amor es mas que eso a lo que nos tienen acostumbrados a los varones, cabalgar sobre una hembra y darle placer y punto. La novela va ganando ternura conformo avanzamos y al final hasta Andrea quien resultaba odiosa al principio de la obra le tomamos cariño, pues ya sabemos que aunque siempre preocupada por si misma y su trabajo, los quiere a su manera. Pero el también supo dar de lo suyo, supo con su virilidad y su fuerza infundir amor y respeto en su hijo y amor en la Dunka, que aunque lo insultaba, lo necesitaba. La novela es un elogio al cambio, al cambio que debe operarse en el hombre, esa feminización de los hombres, esa comprensión de las las mujeres que debe ir mas allá del asentimiento con las palabras a las acciones que en ningún modo nos degrada como hombres, sino que nos engrandece como seres humanos y nos hace mas dignos de ser amados por esos seres tiernos a quienes queremos tanto... Grande, La Vida....
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