Storytelling: 10 – My grandparents sent me this book after hearing I had planned a 10 day solo adventure through Spain and Portugal. According to Rick Steves (demigod of travel books and advice) this should be required reading for anyone planning to run around the Iberian peninsula, and I really couldn’t agree more. I learned a great deal about Spain, and I am excited to compare Michener’s observations with what I’ll see over there. I didn’t think it possible but I think it also made me even more excited for my trip.
I was a little daunted by the fact the book is 960 pages and printed in size six font, but I had to trust my well-traveled and well-read grandparents. I was hooked during the first chapter. Michener divides the book up into meaty chapters based on cities in Spain (aside from one chapter titled “The Bull”) and he includes many tales of his adventures in the outlying regions. This book was created after 30+ years of travels in Spain, so Michener had a lot of good content to work with (hence the size). Any traveler knows your best stories usually happen when you’re stuck in a small town in the middle of nowhere and no one speaks English, and Michener seems to have perfected this art. He includes all sorts of fun details about enjoying picnics in almond and orange fields, buying tickets for bullfights, enduring confusing train rides, and witnessing severe severe poverty. This is a grandiose collection of Michener’s observations as a humble tourist, and he approaches Spain with respect and curiosity (while also inserting his own ideas and opinions) which makes for great reading. And there are even occasional pictures!
However, Michener really impressed me by realizing that no one really wants to read 960 pages just about “This is what I did in Spain”. He infuses the book spectacularly with tidbits about history, architecture, Catholicism, art, food, bullfighting, flamenco, etc. etc. I had read that Michener researches his books tirelessly, and this is definitely the case; I learned a fantastic deal about Spanish history, and Michener was smart enough to include lots of juicy and scandalous details. He is also largely committed to researching the culture of Spain as a polite observer, and he seemed to have a knack for meeting all of the most interesting individuals. Unfortunately, this is all about 1930-1960’s Spain so as a traveler going in 2012 I’m sure things will be largely different, but you can’t really fault the book for being dated…and a tiny bit sexist.
I really can’t find any issue with the way Michener structured this book and how his stories flowed smoothly into each other. I was entertained by a master storyteller and sailed through the pages.
Writing: 7.5 – I will admit that Michener’s writing is not for everyone; the man loves lengthy descriptive phrases, and his writing is quite dense. And for the most part, I’m all for that. This book is travel account + encyclopedia, and Michener is pretty clear about that. He’s a frank and straightforward writer who crafts a scene carefully while also keeping the reader engaged. It’s almost journalistic in style at times.
I found Michener to be a good writer and I obviously enjoyed his storytelling, but he wasn’t a great writer who was blowing my socks off. I didn’t find myself awe-struck by any passages, but I did find myself reflecting on how detailed they were and how honestly they were crafted. I’ll likely read Michener again, but it’ll likely be when I’m in a matter-of-fact mood…or when I’m about to travel someplace he’s written about.
Characters: 9 – Michener spent enough time in Spain to form a vast collection of fabulous friends from all over the country. I think he also started to become a fairly famous author, so seeking out the town major or a famous art collector became a little easier during his later travels. Also, give the variety of wacky experiences Michener has, this book introduces the reader to all sorts of delightful individuals. Michener interviews them all a bit, but many of them are eager to share their knowledge and tell their story. This book made me heart ache for European hospitality.
Since these were all real-life people, I can’t very well credit Michener with crafting these characters, but I was very impressed by the variety of people he met in Spain and the ease with which he introduced them to the reader. If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll get to meet one or two people as interesting when I’m off tromping.
Best part: I’d have to say either Michener’s super detailed account of the Holy Week parades in Seville, the opera and dances he sees in Barcelona, or if very first experience in Spain just outside of Valencia (where he first encounters flamenco). I am insanely jealous of all the cool stuff he got to experience.
Recommend to: All my traveling buddies, and obviously anyone going to Spain.
Reminded me of: You know, weirdly enough, his writing reminded me a lot of Rick Steves.
How I would murder the main character: Michener writes ad nauseum about birds, so I’d probably lock him in an overly decorous Virgin shrine (apparently these are all over Spain) with some carnivorous little birds. But I wouldn’t do that to Michener because he’s an ok guy.
Sexy parts: Obviously times have changed since the 60’s, but Michener offers some funny details about courting habits of Spanish teenagers. Women are expected to be demure and subservient, and the men are all insanely arrogant, according to Michener. And although he never gets graphic, it’s interesting how Michener talks about how sexually liberated young Swedish and German women are when compared to the more reserved Spaniards. We’ll see what I observe fifty years later.
To sum it up: A magical and enjoyable account of mid-century travels as told by a master storyteller.
Overall: 8.5
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