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Homeland

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'If a better Spanish novel than Homeland has appeared in the past 10 years, I’d like to hear about it . . . An uplifting tale, beautifully crafted and full of feeling.' Guardian

Miren and Bittori have been best friends all their lives, growing up in the same small town in the north of Spain. With limited interest in politics, the terrorist threat posed by ETA seems to affect them little. When Bittori’s husband starts receiving threatening letters from the violent group, however – demanding money, accusing him of being a police informant – she turns to her friend for help. But Miren’s loyalties are torn: her son Joxe Mari has just been recruited to the group as a terrorist and to denounce them as evil would be to condemn her own flesh and blood. Tensions rise, relationships fracture, and events race towards a violent, tragic conclusion . . .

Fernando Aramburu’s Homeland is a gripping story and devastating exploration of the meaning of family, friendship, what it’s like to live in the shadow of terrorism, and how countries and their people can possibly come to terms with their violent pasts.

'It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that was so persuasive and moving, so intelligently conceived.' Mario Vargas Llosa

Family Life Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political Tear-jerking

Critic reviews

A powerful saga . . . Aramburu is a captivating writer . . . Few books make me cry these days but by the final page I found my eyes prickling with tears.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that was so persuasive and moving, so intelligently conceived. (Mario Vargas Llosa)
A brilliant and important book. Our planet is covered with lines of various kind, and Aramburu masterfully examines the bodies and souls those lines cut through like razors. (Nadeem Aslam)
A powerful novel . . . Aramburu skilfully spins their stories in short, punchy chapters that dart back and forth in time.
A magnificent novel which is becoming a publishing, political and literary phenomenon. A story imbued with a spine-tingling sense of realism.
Homeland is, above all, a great and considered novel . . . combing evocation and analysis . . . War and Peace by Tolstoy did it. The work of Fernando Aramburu achieves the same thing.
A work of tremendous power . . . we’re once again reminded how overwhelming and powerful literature can be.
Shedding the occasional tear doesn’t matter. It is in any case difficult to read Homeland and remain dry-eyed.
Aramburu recounts the lives of ordinary people shattered by events that are ongoing in Spain today even years after ETA has suspended its armed campaign . . . A humane, memorable work of literature.
A 'Best books' by Isabel Allende for The List
All stars
Most relevant
One of the best books I’ve listened to in a long time, heartbreaking, enlightening incredible x

Incredible

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A really enjoyable yet thought provoking book, set against the backdrop of ETA along with all the trials and tribulations it brought to families on all sides of the conflict. It explores the power of family ties and friendships. Definitely recommend.

Heartfelt

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I think is a marvellous book and the narrator is amazing, even better than the Spanish version! But for future listeners be aware that it is a very sad book!

Great Book but really sad

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What a beautiful novel. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so strongly emotionally attached to characters in a book. Excellent story and a fascinating look at ETA conflict from the view of both victims and perpetrators of the violence. Wonderful

Amazing story

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poor story gave up 1/4 way through , narrator was depressing, had to find another book to cheer myself up!

poor

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