PublishedPenguin, December 2019 |
ISBN9780241983553 |
FormatSoftcover, 544 pages |
Dimensions19.8cm × 13cm × 3.2cm |
A marriage built on lies, a man with many faces, an unpaid debt to the secret service - rich drama from the author of The Infatuations
'For a while, she wasn't sure that her husband was her husband. Sometimes she thought he was, and sometimes not.'
Berta and Tomas meet in Madrid and, though both young, they decide to spend their lives together. Eighteen and betrothed, Tomas leaves to study at Oxford. His talent for languages quickly catches the interest of a certain government agency, but Tomas resists their offers - until one day he makes a mistake that will affect the rest of his life, and that of his beloved Berta. After university he returns to marry her, knowing he won't be able to stay for long . . .
Gripping and intricate, Berta Isla is about a relationship built on secrets and lies - and the counter forces of resentment and loyalty at its core.
A spy saga that rings different bells to any I have read. A unique style from this Spanish author, both compelling in the emotions of the love story it contains and the sense of unease the novel generates. It is a worthy read and, hopefully, should have one chasing the author’s 17 backlist titles.
