The Accordionist’s Son

\n\nA celebrated international author, listed among the “21 top\nwriters for the 21st century” (The Observer, U.K.)\n\nAs David Imaz, on the threshold of adulthood, divides his time\nbetween his uncle Juan’s ranch and his life in the village, where\nhe reluctantly practices the accordion, a tradition that his\nauthoritarian father insists he continue, he becomes increasingly\naware of the long shadow cast by the Spanish Civil War.Letters\nfound in a hotel attic, along with a silver pistol, lead David to\nunravel the story of the conflict, including his father’s\nassociation with the fascists, and the opposition of his uncle, who\ntook considerable risks in helping to hide a wanted republican.\nWith affection and lucidity, Bernardo Atxaga describes the\nevolution of a young man caught between country and town, between\nhis uncle the horse-breeder and his political father. The course of\nDavid’s life changes one summer night when he agrees to shelter a\ngroup of students on the run from the military police.This is the\nmost accomplished novel to date by an internationally celebrated\nwriter._The Accordionist’s Son_is memorable for its epic\nscope—from 1936 to 1999—and the details with which it sparkles in\ngorgeous prose. It is easy to understand why_The\nObserver_listed Atxaga as one of the top twenty-one writers for\nthe twenty-first century.\n\n\n