Guernica

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I particularly enjoy reading novels that relate to the history I studied at uni (European), and this one comes particularly close to the top of the list.  The Spanish Civil War is one aspect of history I only really studied at uni but it is obviously important and it comes up in so many areas of life.  For example, when I lived in Barcelona it was a hot topic as it explained the repression they were under and their love for the Catalan culture and language as it was made illegal for so many years.

Anyway, Guernica the novel, takes on a similar viewpoint in that it is set in the heart of the Basque country and sees the way in which one family's fate is so horribly affected by this war.  I like that the focus is on the family and their story rather than on the war itself.  It brings a personal side to the story and makes it easier to link with my own every day life and easier to understand a little more than when I just read it from a textbook.  I also enjoyed the references to Picasso and his famous work of the same name.

It's definitely worth a read whether you are a fan of history or not.  If you like family stories, you will enjoy this too.