The Tomb in Seville

I was interested to learn that this was the last book Norman Lewis wrote, and that it reprises the first book that he wrote (in part). It tells of a trip he took to Spain in 1934 with his brother-in-law Eugene Corvaja, as the request of his father-in-law. The purpose of the trip was to visit the family tomb, in Seville.

As many will know, 1934 was just prior to the kicking off of the Spanish Civil war and at this time there was a communist uprising, which it transpired was much more a series of rumours and exaggeration than an actual uprising, although there was a brief and violent series of events which curtailed their journey for a period of time in Madrid. Nevertheless these were uncertain times to be travelling in Spain, and with the State of Alarm and travel restrictions their journey commencing in San Sebastian, in the north-west near the French border to Madrid, before heading further east to Salamanca and then into Portugal in order to travel south and return back into Spain and to Seville.
Upon reaching Seville, there are things to discover about the Corvaja Palace (so called) and the family tomb.

Spanish Adventure was Lewis' first publication, and covers the travel in Spain which The Tomb in Seville explains, but also France (before) and North Africa (after). It was not a popular book, as can bee seen by GRs two ratings, and no reviews. Lewis obviously felt he could do better with this reprise, and at 95 years old he wrote this (posthumously published). There are some interesting interactions with Eugene - who is committed to communism, is card-carrying and outspoken, and Lewis who is ambivalent and quietly attempts to encourage Eugene to consider his longer term prospects if he holds this position.

Lewis also impressed me with his willingness to carry on with this journey when it had obviously become dangerous, ducking in the train to avoid bullets, the trouble in Madrid, illegal border crossings and yet persisted in attending a bull fight and other tourist activities.

Written in great detail I expect Lewis either replicated the detail from his earlier book or worked from diaries, as the description is detailed and vivid. This is a shot book - only 150 pages - so is a short read, and for anyone with a passing interest, highly recommended.

4.5 stars, rounded down.