DAVE BOLING

Aug 09, 2009 6:44 AM EDT

Hello there Dave,
The covers are excellent, I can see what you mean about the diversity of the designs. I'm really interested in how the book has been received in Spain and in the Basque Country in particular. Have you had any feedback from anyone in the region?

best wishes

- Stewart, Scotland

Aug 09, 2009 10:43 AM EDT

Stewart,

Suma/Santillana in Spain was one of the first international publishers to buy the book. They were terrific ... having me over for a wonderful tour last September. They told me it went top-10 in the first week or so, so I think it's done well. Interestingly, they changed the name to "A Los Cuatro Vientos" - To The Four Winds. They felt that the title "Guernica" might still be too inflammatory.

I was particularly delighted that it was received quite well in the Basque country. A number of locals told me they were prepared to hate the book. After all, who was this outsider to come in and tell their story? But after a few pages, they saw that it was really a tribute to the victims of one of the great tragedies of the 20th Century. They said they then felt free to really enjoy the book. Several told me that they then thought it might have been a good thing that an outsider (a journalist, too) came in with something of an external perspective on the event.

Take care and be well.

Dave

- Dave Boling

Aug 10, 2009 4:26 AM EDT

Hello Dave,
Thanks for that..
It's such an emotive subject, I know that until recently it was almost taboo and any issues about the civil war weren't really discussed at all, certainly not in the open. It must have been really gratifying to know that people who were so heavily affected by the tragedy have been so supportive of the book. There's a great book that I read last year called Ghosts of Spain by Giles Tremlett, he's the Madrid correspondent for The Guardian newspaper and he tackles the 'civil war issues' really well, it's well worth a read if you haven't already.

best regards

- Stewart, Glasgow

Mar 01, 2010 8:56 AM EST

Just finished your Guernica. Moving, funny, unforgettable characters. Thank you. Looking forward to your book set in South Africa.

- Laura Cestone

Mar 01, 2010 9:10 AM EST

Thanks so much, Laura. Still plowing on the next project. Much to do, but I like where it's headed.

Dave

- Dave Boling

Apr 01, 2010 6:40 AM EDT

Unputdownable....
I have passed it around family and friends and we all agree what a fabulous book and a brilliant read.
Cannot wait for your next one.
Congratulations!!

- Dolores Rose

Apr 01, 2010 7:32 AM EDT

Oh, thank you so much for the kind comment.

I should forward the assessment "unputdownable" to the publisher in case they could use it as a back-cover blurb! I'm not above the invention of words if it helps the cause!

Dave

- Dave Boling

Jan 18, 2011 1:23 PM EST

Hi Dave!
I'm writing to you to tell you that I'm reading at the moment one of your books: "A los cuatro vientos" in Spanish or "Lau haizeetara" in Basque(I'm reading it in Spanish). I have to congratulate you for your marvellous job. I wish you have a great success with all the books you write, because I think you're a really good writer. Thanks for sharing this concrete book with the world.Best wishes from Bilbao! (Basque Country)

- Josune

Jan 18, 2011 1:58 PM EST

Josune,

So pleased to hear from you. I wish we could get it published in Basque. There was some talk of it but I haven't heard how that's progressing. We had a great reception in Bilbao when my Spanish publisher set up an event there. And, of course, I spent some time there while researching the book. Thank you so much for your kind words. Sincerely, Dave

- Dave Boling