Terra Nostra

[Juan Cires Martinez]

Mr. Romeo asks:

> Mr. Martinez:

It's Mr. Cires, since we use two last names in Spain.

> Greetings from the U.S.A.

Saludos from Spain.

> Have you ever read Fuentes' Terra Nostra in its original Spanish? (if you 
> haven't, you'll love it if you like TRP)  I read it for the first time a 
> few months back in english and was astounded.  I presume the Spanish 
> original is even more so.  By the way, under Franco would've a book like 
> Terra Nostra, which fairly depicts the Spanish kings, etc in a rather 
> strange light, been censored or appluaded by his regime?

I haven't read Terra Nostra or anything by Fuentes.  He is certainly in
my list since I keep hearing laudatory comments.  As for censorship, I'm
no expert, but I don't think it was ever censored under Franco.
Censorship under Franco was very irregular.  It is quite famous the case
of the censor that not only approved Bunyuel's "Viridiana" but also went
to the Cannes Film Festival to receive the Palm D'or.  He was
subequently fired when L'Osservatore Romano (sp.) published a very critical
review.  Censors were concerned mostly with issues of indecency or
criticism of the then current political system.  There was also a very
strong anti-monarchy feeling in Franco's regime.

The book in spanish that I compare to GR is "La saga/fuga de J.B." by
Gonzalo Torrente-Ballester.  He was also close to a Nobel prize and,
with Camilo Jose Cela, is by far the best spanish author.

Saludos, Juan.