BookwormBy John Andrews
During the last few months, while relaxing in the sunshine of Australia’s east coast, I have taken the opportunity of re-visiting some of the books read many moons ago, but which have still after all the intervening years left a lasting impression.
One such book, written in 1969 by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, is an all-time favourite – not only for the ravishing prose but also for the unbelievable story of rags to riches in Francisco Franco’s post-war Spain.
Or I’ll dress you in mourning, originally published by Mayflower Granada Publishing, is the extraordinary life storey of Manuel Benitez, or ‘El Cordobes’, as he was known throughout Spain for his daring in the bull ring.
Benitez had come from nowhere. Just half a decade before, the only places his name was recognised were in the archives of half a dozen jails and on the juvenile delinquency rolls of the Guardia Civil post in his native town.
On 20th May 1964, however, aged only 28, he entered Madrid for his most famous appointment with destiny. His picture was pasted to almost every news stand in the capital. Even the Spanish National Lottery vendors invoked his name to bless their tickets with an extra ration of luck.
How had all this come about? And was this final date with destiny one step too far?
“Don’t cry, Angelita. Tonight I’ll buy you a house, or I’ll dress you in mourning”. So said Manuel to his sister on the day of his first bullfight – the peasant from Palma del Rio who was to become the greatest torero of all.
Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre give us a real treat and I would love to share this experience with Newsletter readers.