All This I Will Give To You by Dolores Redondo
ALL THIS I WILL GIVE TO YOU
Dolores Redondo
Dolores Redondo is an award winning international author and Spain's most read writer. With such outstanding credentials, I could not wait to read this prize winning novel which is now published for the first time in the UK. This is an absolutely stunning read, an absorbing and compelling novel which tells a powerful story about family, greed, love and power - all set against the beautiful backdrop of Spain's Ribeira Sacra.
This is a story about a fictional novelist, Manuel Ortigosa, who following the sudden death of his husband Alvaro in a car crash, not only has to come to terms with his grief, but also the discovery that his husband was not the man he thought he knew.
Following the terrible news that his husband has been killed, Manuel sets out for Galicia, the place where Alvaro died. He is in shock, he is full of grief and disbelief and he's also unwilling to accept what has happened. But in seeking answers about Alvaro's death, Manuel finds himself being faced with the answers to much more disturbing questions. He discovers that in fact, Alvaro was a member of one of the most powerful and guarded families in Spain. After a marriage which lasted fifteen years, it is only now he learns how many secrets were hidden from him and the double life Alvaro was leading.
Amongst Alvaro's family, Manuel is treated as an intruder, as an outsider and as a stranger. But, eventually he finds an ally and is able to begin to piece together clues and information from Alvaro's past and his double life so that they can solve the questions surrounding this mysterious death. But the more he uncovers, the more complex the web of corruption and deceit becomes....
This is a huge novel and one which requires commitment but it is also a novel that whisks you away to a stunning location, a compelling mystery, a fascinating family and a novel with exquisite prose. I loved the fact that Manuel was a writer and at the beginning of the novel, this exploration of what it means to be a writer - and a reader - helped to build a relationship with the protagonists. From the opening pages, the character's relationship with his novels and his childhood, adulthood and experiences of grief are revealed and explored which sets the atmosphere for the book. There is an interesting dynamic between Manuel and Alvaro - writer and reader, author and admirer, and the way the fictional novel is woven into this novel is clever, impressive and certainly effective. I enjoyed the way the themes of the novel were captured through this repeated motif. Redondo is a fantastic writer and although this is a deep, complex, literary novel, it is also very accessible and with a protagonist the reader cares for and wants to stay with throughout his challenging journey.
The characterisation in this novel is clever. Deft use of observations, sharp dialogue, unpleasant dynamics between family members creates a cast that Shakespeare would have been proud of. The suspicion, insinuation, confusion and accusations are understated yet full of flourish. Manuel's pain, confusion, frustration and sense of loneliness are palpable. A long novel, with detailed description and plenty of time spent introducing characters and creating a stage where every corner is significant, this has the feel of a real classic. It echoes some of the great thriller writers and yet feels fresh and insightful.
It was an absolute pleasure to read this fluent, impressive and beautifully written novel. It was a pleasure to become absorbed in Manuel's journey and also a fascinating novel because of the setting, location and exploration of family. Perfect for the summer holidays but equally perfect for the long autumn evenings. If you are looking to discover a new voice in crime fiction, then Redondo is definitely worth investigating.
My thanks to EDPR and the author for giving me the opportunity to join the blog tour for this novel.
Don't miss the other stops on the tour and see what everyone else is saying about this book!
All This I Will Give To You by Dolores Redondo is out now,
published by Amazon Crossing
DOLORES REDONDO
Dolores Redondo studied law and the culinary arts before writing The Baztan Trilogy, a 1.5 million copy bestselling crime series set in the Basque Pyrenees which has been translated into more than 35 languages and adapted for film. Redondo has been nominated for the CWA International Dagger Award three times and was awarded the 2016 Premio Planeta for All This I Will Give To You. The book has also been optioned for film and translated into 18 languages.
Dolores Redondo lives in Spain.
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