What books are you reading right now and why?
La noche de los tiempos - Antonio Munoz Molina
The action takes place in Spain, before the Civil War (Republic vs Monarchy) and it extends in the middle of the war.
The main character is Ignacio Abel, recognized architect from Madrid, Spain. He is building the new modern areas of Madrid like the new University Campus, new neighbourhoods and other architectural masterpieces. He's a respectable person, otherwise a bit monotone and boring. He doesn't love his wife anymore and sometimes he is wondering:" what did i saw in her?"a. He also doesn't like his wife's relatives: "they are some uneducated and low-class people". On the contrary, they respect Ignacio and are proud of him. They have a very simple life, but a happy life.
He is married and has two children, but suddenly at a conference where he was the speaker, he meets a young beautiful lady and realizes that his life is pathetic, so classic, with no adrenaline, more like a lethargic family life. So, the love story develops, but the Civil War starts in Spain and he is forced to emigrate in USA. There, he tries to integrate but he lives mainly in the past, building the present with past memories..
So far I've red 1/3 from the book, but it is very interesting. I like the psychological approach having subtile analysis with regards to Abel Ignacio's thoughts and feelings. Can't wait to see how it will go on..URSS in Afganistan (1979-1989)- Rodric Braithwaite
History book, it surprises the atrocities, the cruelty and unlivable life in war times. On 6 December 1979, URSS decides to send soldiers to defend their interest in Afganistan and to prepare a coup-d'etat
The pretext is that they want to "modernize" Afganistan with roads, schools, universities, hospitals and mentality.
The real reasons: to preserve/ increase their influence in the area and to create a buffer zone at URSS's borders.
The reality is a sad one: fighting with mujahedins - gherila troops opposing afgani government backed by russians, with the mentality of poor people from the mountain villages, the war makes a miserable life to civilians, russian troops and mujahedins, all together. When the black coffins started arriving home, in URSS, the people started asking questions about what is really happening in Afganistan..
These are the books which transpose me "back to the future" and make me think at human character and what is the humankind capable of..
So, what are the books you are reading now?