A Death in Zamora

by Ramón Sender Barayón

In a personal account of the Spanish Civil War, the author describes the suffering and loss endured by his family and others at the hands of the fascists

Genres: Spanish Civil War, Nonfiction, Spain, Literature, History

196 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1989

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book recounts the very moving story of a man who goes to find out what he can about his mother's assassination by the fascists in Spain in 1936. One can only admire his courage in looking for the painful truth. As virtually a primary source document I guess I shouldn't have expected it to be well written; but the pedestrian way in which Barayon relates events made getting through it difficult. Nonetheless, it opened my eyes to the brutalities of the Spanish Civil War in a way that I had not previously imagined. The film Butterfly approaches the same more poetically. I'm glad I followed up on Helen Graham's suggestions.

[Gregory Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling narrative about the author's search for the truth about his mother's death in 1936, in the early days of the Spanish Civil War, when humanity and loyalties were tested to their limits. He tells us what happened as the information unfolds in his investigation, in unflinching detail, with a desire for absolute truth. Not an easy task so many decades after the events occurred.

Being that we're planning a trip to Spain this year, the narrative did help me to better understand the Spanish psyche, particularly since the Franco regime stayed in power well after the end of World War II, only ending after his death in 1975. What that means is that unlike in Germany, there were no trials, no closure to a country's cultural upheaval by a fascist dictator. That has to have a particularly powerful influence on every person of Spanish descent. I find myself humbled that I hadn't fully realized this before, though with the reading of this, Orwell's Homage to Catalonia and Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, I can sense a theme.

I'm looking forward to more fully immersing myself into Spanish culture later this year. I have much respect for the author and his family through this authentic and richly powerful narrative.

[Caponato · Rating 3 out of 5]

El asesinato de la mujer de Ramón J. Sender contada por su hijo más de cuarenta años más tarde. Un ejercicio de búsqueda de una madre truncada por la sinrazón y maldad que reinó en la Guerra Civil Española. Amparo Barayón fue acusada de "espionaje" y entregada a sus verdugos por su propio cuñado y asesinada sin juicio por huestes falangistas con la aquiescencia del Gobernador. La verdadera causa de su muerte, sin juicio por supuesto, fue que no pudieron matar a su marido, el escritor anarquista Sender. El estilo del autor es un poco desordenado pero lleno de buenas intenciones.

PD. En el libro se menciona al doctor Pedro Arenal, encargado de visitar a las reclusas de la cárcel de Zamora, y que no quiso curar a una presa de nombre Pilar Fidalgo porque "la mejor cura para la mujer del sinvergüenza de Almoina es la muerte". Pues bien, su nieta manifestó en una entrevista en la Opinión de Zamora en el año 2004, confundiendo a Pilar con Amparo Barayón, que su padre no la dejó morir, que ya estaba muy mal porque "estaba sifilítica". A veces son peores los nietos miserables que los abuelos cómplices.

[Tom Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful and gripping contribution to the history of the White Terror during the Spanish Civil War. The plot is well-paced, with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed, each adding depth to the story as their motivations and secrets slowly unravel. The emotional weight of the narrative is beautifully balanced with its investigative elements, making it not just a thrilling read, but a profound one. A brilliant combination of storytelling and atmosphere, A Death in Zamora is a must-read for fans of the Spanish Civil War and the atrocities committed during that time.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compelling book, tho’ far from easy reading.
Highly recommended.