Neither Picasso nor Hemingway gets the final word

Kasey Cox

How lucky am I? I’ve written enough book reviews (or achieved a loud enough reputation as a sucker and a soft-heart) that now people send me a copy of their newest book, asking that I might publish at least one review in order to publicize their work. Wow – free books, and an appeal to my writer’s ego. I feel blessed, honored … but also more pressured. A recovering perfectionist, I confess that writing has also been an area in which I have struggled mightily. In my worst hours, I will write a sentence or two, stare at it, erase it, stare at the blank page, write almost the exact same sentence, chastise myself for always using the same adjectives, cross it out, gnash my teeth, consider throwing the book or the computer or both against the wall.

Teeth gnashing aside, for several weeks after I read Dave Boling’s book Guernica, I hesitated to write a review. I've been avoiding going through this process for Guernica not because I didn't like it, but because I liked it so very much. I want to write a review that is worthy of the book, that somehow beautifully conveys everything that was beautiful in this first novel by Dave Boling. I figure, maybe, eventually, I will be able to, but it will take much more thought and writing. In the meantime, I want to start telling others to start reading this book!

I have already raved, ad infinitum, about my fondness for historical fiction. As a teenager, when I was bound to the place I lived, before I had a chance to travel, I traveled and learned about other times, other places, other people through novels like this one. This is true, now, too: as a young, working adult, owner of a small business in a small town, I am too busy, and too poor, to travel much. I let books take me places. Yes, I read nonfiction, too. I especially enjoy history, and I do understand the difference between history and historical fiction. And though the best writers of nonfiction history for the general public -- people like Barbara Tuchman, Stephen Ambrose, Joseph Ellis, Edmund Morris -- write beautifully, I find the lyrical language of the fiction warmer and more accessible.

This is certainly true of Dave Boling's writing. In prose that is has both lovely descriptions and compelling action, the book moves well and draws the reader in.

I know quite a bit about World War II, the Blitz, and also about the history of France (French major), but very little about the history of Spain. The little I know of the Spanish Civil War comes mostly from Hemingway novels. I know next to nothing about the Basque people. So I was interested in reading Guernica as a possible springboard to learn more. This novel is by no means a definitive work; Boling clearly explains as much in the author’s notes at the end, and provides an excellent reading list. I consider Guernica an invitation to delve into these events. I read a few critical reviews which offered advice to the effect of "don't bother with this novel; go back and read Hemingway (again) instead." I completely disagree. Though Papa Hemingway is a strong presence in our understanding, I believe it very important that he is not given the only word on this time period. As a matter of fact, Hemingway's terse style and ex-pat views give us only one small window. I want more. I received it here.

Even though I often hesitate to recommend a book only available in hardcover -- since hardcover prices are going up so much! -- I wholeheartedly say, this book is worth the hardcover price. Treat yourself.


Hobo hugs perfectionists. He says, “Silly humans; only cats are perfect!” Although he’s a Hemingway cat, Hobo recommends other authors, too. For instance, himself! Watch for the new edition of “Hobo Finds A Home”, coming to bookstores this next week! Or read Hobo’s Histories at his blog archives, here.