Gunnar was a young journalist in Iceland. Covering local news bored him and he was desperate to get out of this one-way street to oblivion. As Spain erupted into Civil War, he saw his opportunity, his road to greatness.
Barcelona was a city of colourful propaganda posters and interesting characters. Friendships were forged, they laughed, drank and fought together, but he would have to repay his debt. The price of entry into this war was betraying his friends.
Nothing would ever be the same after Barcelona burst into flames, on 3 May 1937. Nobody could be trusted, friends turned on each other and survival was the only thing that mattered.
Blood and Rain is Villi Asgeirsson’s second novel. His debut, Under the Black Sand, was published in 2013.
Genre: FICTION / HistoricalBlood and Rain generated a small buzz as it was published. The author is aware of one review, a five star affair on Goodreads.
Celestina put a bag on the table and took out two rifles and a pistol. Gunnar could feel the cold sweat on his back. ‘Where did you get this?’
’Stole it from the fascists.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Of course we are. I fought last year. Nothing to it. You just make sure you’re not hit.’ She took out two small boxes and emptied the contents on the table. They were bullets. Two kinds, one small and another larger. ‘This is for the rifles, this for the pistol.’
‘I’ll use the pistol. Easier if I want to photograph as well.’ Frank loaded the gun and put the remaining bullets in his pocket.
‘What are we going to fight?’
‘The communists, my darling. We are raiding the Telephone Exchange. Others are joining us. I am not letting the worthless Stalinists take away our means of communications.’
‘Why is this happening?’
‘My old chap, haven’t you been paying attention? The communists claim the anarchists were listening in on phone conversations. They even say we interrupted their phone calls with insults. That’s silly talk, obviously.’
‘We did, but that is no reason for them to turn on us.’ Celestina polished her rifle.
The anarchists had been listening in on phone calls? Had they been listening to him all this time, hearing how he was busy betraying everyone around him? ‘Thanks for the clothes.’ It was all Gunnar could say. He took a sip of coffee and the cup shook in his hand. Were the two in on the whole thing? Were they taking him out into the streets to have him killed? They had to know. Frank put the camera to his face and took a photo of Celestina as she loaded one of the rifles. ‘One day, this photo will be an evidence to show what a hero our little beauty here really is.’
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German
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Already translated.
Translated by Arno Maierbrugger
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Italian
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Already translated.
Translated by Davy Thach
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Author review: As I don't speak Italian, I can't judge the translation. I'm sure it's all good as I haven't had any problems. Davy was always prompt and communicated well. Good to work with, understanding when I missed deadlines I'd set myself, friendly. Recommended. |
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Portuguese
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Already translated.
Translated by Maria Verônica dos Santos
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Author review: As I don't speak Portuguese, I can't judge the translation. I'm sure it's all good as I haven't had any problems. Verônica was always prompt and communicated well. Good to work with. |
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Spanish
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Translation in progress.
Translated by Iris Torre
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