
Remember Me: A Spanish Civil War Novel by Mario Escobar
Amid the shadows of war, one family faces an impossible choice that will change their lives forever.
Madrid, 1934. Though the Spanish Civil War has not yet begun, the streets of Madrid have become dangerous for thirteen-year-old Marco Alcalde and his younger sisters, Isabel and Ana. When Marco’s parents align themselves against General Franco and his fascist regime, they have no inkling that their ideals will endanger them and everyone they love—nor do they predict the violence that is to come.
When the Mexican government promises protection to the imperiled children of Spain, the Alcaldes do what they believe is best: send their children, unaccompanied, across the ocean to the city of Morelia—a place they’ve never seen or imagined. Marco promises to look after his sisters in Mexico until their family can be reunited in Spain, but what ensues is a harrowing journey and a series of heartbreaking events. As the growing children work to care for themselves and each other, they feel their sense of home, family, and identity slipping further and further away. And as their memories of Spain fade and the news from abroad grows more grim, they begin to wonder if they will ever see their parents again or the glittering streets of the home they once loved.
Based upon the true stories of the Children of Morelia, Mario Escobar’s Remember Me—now available for the first time in English—explores the agony of war and paints a poignant portrait of one family’s sacrificial love and endurance.
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Review
Marco, Ana and Isabel Alcande are all children as the Spanish Civil War infiltrates Madrid in 1937. Their father fights tirelessly against the fascist regime in an attempt to save lives, their culture and freedom. Their mother, an actress, helps the fighters when she can, but places her family's safety first. When the fighting gets too close. their mother makes the heartbreaking decision to send Marco, Ana and Isabel to Mexico. Known as the Children of Morelia, the siblings join a transport of other young refugees to venture to the unknown land of Mexico. The children are placed in desperate situations, away from the dangers of war, but exploited in other ways. Through it all, Marco keeps his promise to his mother to keep his sisters safe and remember his homeland and parents.
With heartfelt compassion, Remember Me, tells the very important story of the Children of Morelia. I did not really know anything about the Spanish Civil War before reading this and especially did not realize how the outcome bled into allegiances for Spain during World War II. The story is told from Marco's point of view and quickly drew me into the scene with the dangers in Spain and the uncertainty of Mexico. Escobar deftly recreates the stories from many actual survivors of the Spanish Civil War and Children of Morelia into one smooth storyline. Most of all, Marco's story conveyed the emotional toll on the families and children at this time. From attempting to understand the world at war around them, to their parents decision to send them away, to the uncertainty on the ship and in Mexico, to the gradual understanding of the way of the world around them and the joy of reunion, each moment was captured with an amazing and expressive style. Overall, a sincere story about a very difficult time in history and the people who survived it. This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
About the Author
Mario Escobar Golderos has a degree in History, with an advanced studies diploma in Modern History. He has written numerous books and articles about the Inquisition, the Protestant Reformation, and religious sects. He is the executive director of an NGO and directs the magazine Nueva historia para el debate, in addition to being a contributing columnist in various publications. Passionate about history and its mysteries, Escobar has delved into the depths of church history, the different sectarian groups that have struggled therein, and the discovery and colonization of the Americas. He specializes in the lives of unorthodox Spaniards and Americans.
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Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, September 15 Review at Nursebookie Review at WTF Are You Reading? Wednesday, September 16 Review at Amy's Booket List Feature at Let Them Read Books Friday, September 18 Review at 100 Pages a Day Saturday, September 19 Feature at The Green Mockingbird Monday, September 21 Feature at The Lit Bitch Feature at I'm All About Books Wednesday, September 23 Review at Passages to the Past Friday, September 25 Review at View from the Birdhouse Saturday, September 26 Feature at Bookworlder Sunday, September 27 Review at Reading is My Remedy Monday, September 28 Review at Hallie Reads Tuesday, September 29 Feature at What Is That Book About
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away 5 copies of Remember Me by Mario Escobar! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on September 29th. You must be 18 or older to enter. Remember Me