tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post2376478381914091042..comments2024-03-25T09:01:20.997-07:00Comments on Diary of an Autodidact: The Cypresses Believe in God by José María GironellaDiary of an Autodidacthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849157548643091986noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post-31192894340239547222013-09-02T01:39:49.672-07:002013-09-02T01:39:49.672-07:00I looked on Amazon, and I'm guessing the seque...I looked on Amazon, and I'm guessing the sequels were not as good or at least not as popular as The Cypresses, because they are out of print.Grace Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post-57856176007353876202013-09-01T15:38:12.464-07:002013-09-01T15:38:12.464-07:00I haven't read the sequels yet. My local libra...I haven't read the sequels yet. My local library does have both books in English translation, so I should be able to get them.<br /><br />I also looked up the answer to your previous question. Gironella was Catholic, but tried to write from a neutral viewpoint in this book. He was also Catalan, which helps explain his focus on the political part of the feud - and why he set the book in the Catalan portion of Spain. Diary of an Autodidacthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11849157548643091986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post-28657090214504405252013-09-01T09:33:33.277-07:002013-09-01T09:33:33.277-07:00Thank you for your response. I've read the end...Thank you for your response. I've read the ending again, with your response in mind, and it makes more sense. It's still sad, and I don't like it, but that's a different issue. It seemed like it didn't fit the first time, but maybe it was just me... reading too fast. I missed that Professor Civil completely prevents Cesar from speaking up when the two guys come searching for him. And, yes, there is the foreshadowing about his desiring martyrdom.<br /><br />Have you read the two sequels?Grace Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post-3622240023526849702013-08-31T08:44:05.122-07:002013-08-31T08:44:05.122-07:00I think the key to understanding the ending is tha...I think the key to understanding the ending is that Cesar intends to die. He is seeking martyrdom. That's why he goes out in the first place. "I am needed." <br /><br />That this is misguided is probably true, but it is what is in Cesar's heart. That is why he steals the wafers, and distributes them to those about to die. If he can save one soul (and he arguably does), his death will be worthwhile. <br /><br />What is cynical is the utter waste of human life on both sides. (Read up on the events of the war. What a bloody, hopeless mess. And it was all for what? Franco?) Cynical or not, it actually happened. <br /><br />Cesar's death shows the hopelessness of even the greatest good in such a situation. Cesar is willing to sacrifice his own life for the eternal good of others, and yet it is wasted along with thousands of others. Diary of an Autodidacthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11849157548643091986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post-87255161012845570512013-08-31T06:24:21.019-07:002013-08-31T06:24:21.019-07:00I enjoyed your essay very much, and agree with so ...I enjoyed your essay very much, and agree with so much, but you've written it better than I ever could have. I just finished the book yesterday.<br /><br />One thing that struck me was the scenes at the end with the townspeople burning and destroying churches. So many people! It made me realise that there must have always been large numbers of people who did not believe, even in "Catholic countries" like Spain. It goes some way towards explaining what happened in Mexico, which I always wondered about.<br /><br />"There are too many parallels with today around the world for comfort." Yes. When I read some of the hateful anti-Christian comments online, it is scary to think how easily it can turn to physical violence.<br /><br />However, the end, the end of Cesar's life really upset me. It made me wonder if Gironella was not a believer. It's so horrible how Cesar's holiness and spiritual development and devotion to God does not help him to realise that the two guys sent to the barracks/jail were sent to rescue him so he keeps quiet and is soon after shot. What did you you think of that part?<br />It seemed very cynical to me. <br />Grace Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post-38911184659636410092013-04-19T12:29:06.711-07:002013-04-19T12:29:06.711-07:00I'm impressed that you read this book at the a...I'm impressed that you read this book at the age of 13! While it is beautiful and thought provoking, it isn't easy reading for the average junior high student. Thanks for your encouraging comments. Diary of an Autodidacthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11849157548643091986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4051826042602269061.post-62260251756859255052013-04-18T06:39:13.746-07:002013-04-18T06:39:13.746-07:00Wonderful review of a beautiful book which I first...Wonderful review of a beautiful book which I first read when it was published in the U.S. My mother bought it (it must have been a "Book of the Month" club selection. I never forgot it. The characters are very well-drawn (especially Pilar to this thirteen-year-old)and the moral ambiguities are enough to intrigue someone brought up to equate the Church with goodness, and Masons, freethinkers, and Communists with the devil.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com