Reviewed by Timea Barabas
Peter J. Meehan delivers an eventful love story that lingers over decades. The spark is lit in Spain on a backdrop of political unrest, when two students of different worlds fall in love. Return to Pamplona: A Lover’s Quest in Post-War Spain opens the window to Spain in the late 1940s, shortly after the end of the Spanish Civil War. The book is an intriguing blend of adult fiction, historical drama, and thriller, promising a truly captivating read. Purchase Here.
The author invites us to step into a different world and discover its societal mechanisms through the eyes and experiences of a visitor. Richard Samuels, an English geology student visits Spain to study the Spanish Pyrenees. During his stay, he meets a spirited medical student, Terese Burguera, who quickly captures his heart and imagination.
While Richard is merely a visitor, dazzled by the country’s beauty, Terese is deeply immersed in the under layers of society. As a Basque, she grips on to her cultural heritage, undeterred by the risks and hardships it brings under the current regime. When others stay silent, she boldly speaks up and gives voice to those oppressed and overlooked. Her allure is further magnified by her family connections; her uncle, a renowned smuggler, vanished under mysterious circumstances.
In contrast, Richard seems to understand little of her struggles. Instead, he is preoccupied with his personal history and future. When he can no longer postpone his departure, he invites Terese to join him in France, unaware that she has no passport and cannot legally cross the border. She keeps this to herself. Terese finally decides to try to cross on one of the secret trade routes used by her uncle. But along the way, she vanishes without a trace.
After this new reality sets in, Richard slowly returns to his life and tries to move on. However, after more than two decades a discovery prompts him to return to Pamplona in search of answers. This time he arrives as an accomplished geology professor with the pretext of a school trip. Amidst numerous encounters with authorities who watch his every move, he tries to uncover what happened to Terese.
Some experiences, although fleeting, are so strong that they leave a mark that stands the test of time. Peter J. Meehan splits the focus between a personal narrative and a societal fresco to paint a compelling image of how individual lives intertwine with broader cultural currents. Return to Pamplona: A Lover’s Quest in Post-War Spain is an effortless read that draws you in emotionally and takes you to unexpected places.