(finished) Guernica

 Guernica, by Dave Boling, ughhhhhhh, PAINFUL but really really REALLY good. The twist at the end was well telegraphed and actually fairly plausible, though kind of a stretch, but at that point I didn't even care because I was just so happy that there was a little bit of happiness left. When the bombing happened (this is a historical book, covering historical acts, so), I had to fight off tears. The writing up to that point had made me care about the characters and the place so deeply, and though I knew it was coming I didn't want to face it. I actually put the book down for a few months to not to have to face it, but I'm glad I picked it back up to finish. 

I really loved the men-women dynamic all throughout and the presence of family and the different occupations, and the strength and goodness in so many of the characters.

The Picasso bits were probably not very necessary, but they definitely didn't harm the book.

I really really loved Justo; he was probably my favourite character. And Alaia and Miren's friendship was wonderful too.

I want to follow up on reading this by going through some of the books in the bibliography at the end, actually, because the window into Basque culture was really enthralling, and the history enraging and disturbing. 

I'd definitely re-read this book, despite having thought I'd never want to look at it again, because it's worth it and the ending didn't rip me to shreds. It was a very human and gentle yet devastating book.