6 Extraordinary Spanish Books by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
Arturo Pérez-Reverte was born in Cartagena in the province of Murcia, Spain. He’s a bestselling author who studied journalism and political science. He began working as a journalist for Pueblo, a newspaper in Madrid. He was reported missing twice—first, in the Sahara in 1975 and later in the Falkland Islands war in 1982.
Arturo Pérez-Reverte became a war correspondent and covered important events in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Cyprus, Croatia, and other countries. These experiences gave him inspiration for his books. Having received journalism awards for his work, he decided to quit and dedicate himself to creative writing. He has written 16 novels and more than 100 articles in magazines.
As of today, he lives in a small village close to Madrid with his wife and daughter. His novels are historically-based and highly researched.
If you start reading his work, you’ll soon notice that his imaginative skills produce extraordinary stories of adventure.
Arturo Pérez-Reverte began his literary career in 1986 when he wrote and published The Hussar. Two years later he published Fencing Master and continued to write popular books.
Keep reading to discover six stellar books by Arturo Pérez-Reverte!
Benefits of Reading in Spanish
Before we get into the book list, let’s talk about the benefits to you (aside from really entertaining literature).
Reading is one of the most effective ways to immerse yourself not only in the language but the culture itself. You actively apply the grammar and practice the vocabulary that you’ve learned in the classroom. Instead of forcing yourself to memorize new words, you get to observe how to use grammar structures precisely while reading native Spanish literature.
The coolest part? Reading in Spanish allows you to subconsciously retain phrases and words in a fast and easy way.
Another great reason to read in Spanish is that it helps you understand idioms that you’re likely not to hear in the classroom. It’s the best way to learn practical Spanish and expand your knowledge.
See also: 12 Proven Methods For Reading Better In Spanish
Let’s check out these one-of-a-kind books!
6 Extraordinary Books by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
This list of books by Arturo Pérez-Reverte will not only spark your imagination but also improve your Spanish. Are you ready to dive in?
1. The Queen of the South (La Reina del Sur)
La Reina del Sur focuses on the life of Teresa Mendoza Chávez, also known as La Mexicana, who’s forced to join the Juárez cartel in Spain after the death of her boyfriend.
The story takes place in Spain, Mexico, and the Strait of Gibraltar. When Teresa arrives, she begins to work in a complicated business. Some say that this book was based on true events, but Arturo Pérez-Reverte insists that it’s fiction. This story was adapted for television in 2011, but the writer did not like the adaptation—so you might want to stick to the book for a more engaging experience!
2. Captain Alatriste (El Capitán Alatriste)
El Capitán Alatriste is a historical novel that begins with the adventures of a retired war soldier and swordsman. Diego Alatriste and Tenorio live in a corrupted and declining Madrid. The narrator is Iñigo Balboa, the son of a former war soldier.
The plot starts with Diego in prison for not being able to pay his tax debt. After he’s released, the adventures begin, including battles with steel flashing in the dark. Other important characters include a cruel inquisitor, a poet, and friends. Mystery and suspense come to life in this book.
3. Falco (Falcó)
This is the first book of the Falcó trilogy. The main character, Falcó, is an espionage expert and an intelligence agent. The story is set in the middle of the Spanish Civil war, an environment full of mercenaries and corruption.
Falcó has to infiltrate and rescue an essential revolutionary from the Alicanto prison. It seems like a suicide mission that could change Spain’s history. Montero and Eva Rengel are in charge of keeping Falcó company. This novel is full of betrayal, suspense, and action!
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4. The Fencing Master (El Maestro de Esrigma)
The Fencing Master takes place in Madrid in 1868. A man of honor and fencing master, Don Jaime, is approached by a mysterious woman who wants to learn an arcane technique that only he knows. He finds himself in a vortex full of secret political documents, seduction, and a murder mystery. This book is full of historical details that depict a withering world while also beautifully showing the art of fencing. El Maestro de Esrigma is a superb literary work of art and a page-turner.
5. The Seville Communion (La Piel del Tambor)
Our Lady of the Tears is a small, crumbling Baroque church in the heart of Seville, Spain. A computer hacker called Vespers believes that she kills to protect and defend herself. Rome sends a Father to investigate. He meets the local priest, who is a banker, aristocrat, and one of the most wonderful crooks to ever be involved in a life of crime.
Mysteries, secrets, and an unexpected death will have you on the edge of your seat. This is another masterpiece by Arturo Pérez-Revente you won’t want to miss!
6. The Club Dumas (El Club Dumas)
El Club Dumas is a thrilling story about Lucas Corso, a rare book hunter who discovers a lost piece of Dumas’ Three Musketeers manuscript. This is the perfect book for those who love thrillers—you cannot see the twists coming!
There’s even a movie called Ninth Gate with Johnny Depp that is based on The Club Dumas. It’s a great addition to the story that gives you another perspective on the book.
Arturo Pérez-Reverte Quotes
Here are 5 Arturo Pérez-Reverte quotes for you to enjoy!
“Never trust a man who reads only one book.”
“One is never alone with a book nearby, don’t you agree? Every page reminds us of a day that has passed and makes us relive the emotions that filled it. Happy hours underlined in red pencil, dark ones in black…”
“You don’t choose your friends, they choose you, and you either reject them or you accept them without reservations.”
“The world is full of banks and rivers running between them, of men and women crossing bridges and fords, unaware of the consequences, not looking back or beneath their feet, and with no loose change for the boatman.”
“Actually loneliness has a kind of fascination; it’s a state of egotistical, inner grace that you can achieve only by standing guard on old, forgotten roads that no one travels anymore.”
Read and Speak in Spanish
Books can change our lives and open our minds to new worlds and languages. Reading any of these incredible books by Arturo Pérez-Reverte will help you to become a fluent Spanish speaker sooner than you think.
There’s nothing better than learning a second language to explore different cultures. Spanish continues to be one of the most popular languages to learn around the world. In the U.S. alone, approximately 53 million people speak Spanish. The United States is the second-largest Spanish speaking country in the world. According to CNN, there are 41 million native Spanish speakers in the US who speak Spanish in their homes.
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