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I really enjoyed this book. I wrote my Master's Thesis on Spanish Literature on this book. I have read it 3 times and each time I find myself going deeper and deeper into the psychological journey towards adulthood for Andrea. I truly hope you will enjoy this book as much as I have. I find myself wanting to read it again. I would also recommend 'el arbol de la ciencia' by Pio Baroja.

I have not had a chance to read this book, but according to comments by classmates, this is a very good book that was required for my mulitcultural class. The author is very explicit and interesting book to read.

I wasn't sure I'd like this book at first as so many reviews I'd found called it despondent, sad, etc. I found the book to have sad parts, and yet I found it moving and I liked the heroine for not getting corrupted by all the things surrounding her. I wasn't saddened by the book nor did it depress me. In fact I actually liked the ending and thought it brought closure in a neat way but not an American way with artifice and quaintness. I don't give many books 5 stars. Most that I really like get 4. Yet there was something about this book that merited this response. I am sad that more young people do not read this book. Then again, I find that Spanish history isn't covered very much in American schools. More English/French and then later Germany/Russia, but not Iberia. Perhaps that has something to do with it. If I had read this when I was younger I suspect it would have been one of those books I kept rereading growing up. As it is, I will reread it again at some point. I also agree with others that this book captures the feel of Barcelona. If you like this, try Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I always wonder what else people read when they love/hate books because I wonder if I would agree with their review or not. Sometimes the things that lead people to give a book a good score would lower its score in my eyes or vice versa. So in that spirit, here's a bit about my reading habits to help you sort that out - I read a lot of European and Asian literature. I don't like most things that make the US Bestseller lists. I do love good mysteries for fun, and some speculative literature. I don't watch much tv.

I had to read this book first for a class but loved it so much I wanted a copy of my own. Carmen Laforet is an extremely talented author and a great read if you enjoy works from the posguerra period in Spain. I found it easier to read than some works by other posguerra authors (Spanish is my second language so I sometimes struggle with some vocabulary).

This is an excellent novel. From the very beginning Carmen Laforet manages to create a very interesting and convincing atmosphere, the characters are full and the plot does not stagnate. I have read it several times and always enjoyed it.