Sadness and hope - Rated 
Immensely sad story of the hardship felt by the Ramirez family in Granada as a result of the Spanish Civil War. We are introduced to them in 1931 and hear of the ways the lives of Pablo and Concha, the parents, and the three sons and one daughter, are affected by the horrific and divisive war, which causes painful divisions even within families. The war affects each of the family in different ways, which are all covered in the novel, and all are characters that I warmed to and longed to know what was happening to. Hislop highlights the joy that music, dancing and celebrations brought to these people, and how cruelly all this is stripped away from them.
Their story is recounted in 2001 by the owner of 'El Barril' cafe in Granada, once owned by the Ramirez family, to a young English woman, Sonia, who has gone their (by chance?) during a short break to indulge her passion for dancing. There Sonia is to discover more than she could ever have imagined about her past.
The novel relies quite a bit on coincidence and I didn't feel it was the most smoothly written one, in particular early on, but overall it is a fascinating and compelling story, and the insights into this country and this war are well written and documented as far as one would want in a novel, likely giving many who knew little about the conflict at least a basic knowledge. Not perfect, but captivating nonetheless, and definitely worth reading.
half way through the book... - Rated 
half way through the book, i decided to look up some other reviews...my feelings are mixed, and i could say that up to now, i think that the return does not compare to Hislop's previous book, the island. that was indeed a compelling read, well researched, unique,extremely engaging.Whether it is the fact that so many other novels have been written about the spanish civil war ( i recently read the shadow of the wind), or whether it is the off puttish 'mamma mia'sort of introduction (2 english girls,choosing the south, etc etc) this book is not as attractive as it could ve been.Now passion for dance, flamengo...those are unique ideas...why couldnt the book just develop out of those?
will save the last word on it for when m on the last page..
Not as good as The Island - Rated
I do not wish to deter people from reading this book as it tells the story of a family torn apart by the Spanish civil war very well. For anyone wondering what it was like to live in different regions of Spain during this time 'the return' will show you with well researched detail. I learnt how different groups in society experienced this tragedy and how geographical, sexual and political orientations played a part in their fate.
However, my criticism is that the book took a while to get into. The first half of the book was slow and it was only when we began to hear about the war that the book seemed to find it's true story. Personally I preffered her first book 'the island'. In 'the island' it was unique to see Hislop draw between the trauma of a long forgotten lepor colony and tie it to a young girl's modern day life. There is an element of repetition in her new book because again she is linking a traumatic historical event with a young woman's modern life.
Overall, despite my criticism I would advise that you do read this book. You will learn a lot more about the Spanish Civil War than you knew before and with Hislop's talent for writing you will at times feel you are there.
Inspiring read - Rated
Not having read 'The Island' I did not have any preconceived ideas about Victoria Hislop's style. However, I did thoroughly enjoy the book, the tale covers the horrors and tragedy of civil war and was able to make me want to find out more about this period of history.
The family relationships and terrible decisions made by the various members of the Ramirez family were exceptionally well written and believable. The necessity to link it a modern day 'voyage of discovery' theme - I am not sure this was needed. The story would have been just as enthralling without the rather obvious 'oh my gosh she is the daughter' revelation.
Having said that I am inspired to find out more about the Spanish Civil War so well done Victoria!
A huge disappointment - Rated 
Much too long and boring.
Too much discription and very little action.
I will not be reading any more of her books.
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