UNE BALLE PERDUE (A Lost Bullet)

This is the story of the short life of young Alejandro, a Spanish boot-black, poor, happy, and a would-be anarchist. The general strike in Barcelona degenerates into a small revolution when the Madrid Government steps in, and Alejandro, although not actually participating in the affair, acts as a protector to a striking friend. His anarchism proves to be merely idealistic, he sees his friend lose his humaneness, his own dreams and illusions are shattered, his life lost in a heroic but unnecessary gesture. Appealingly written, the book is light, and one of Kessel's best works.