THROUGH THE HOOP

by Michel Castillo ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 11, 1963

A full-bodied farce from the author of Child of Our Time and The Disinherited takes on the challenge of a Spanish society bound by boredom and the chafing chains of state and church in subtle conflict. In the provincial town of Huesca, Carlos Sanchez, a demented young student home from Madrid becomes the means for a series of selfish in. The Governor, eager to assure his continued good fortune should the present government fall and the Royalists emerge, accuses him of leadership of a nonexistent Communist plot. Sanchez' misfortune is seized upon by others as an answer to boredom or opportunism -- by the Madrid Countess as a diversion, by the Bishop's scheming secretary to banish his adversary Father Risueno, who is the only priest among many to pity and hope for Sanchez' possible sainthood as the boy wanders the Sierras with an idiot as companion, preaching Christ's words as his own. The futile merry-go-round whirls ever faster, and all roads lead to Huesca for a denouement that takes a deeper turn and abruptly disposes of the happy ending for the meddlers or for those more intimately involved. A savage comedy leavened with compassion, which, if carried out in levity, is conceived of a seriousness that conveys its convictions powerfully. Political and piritual depths are sounded here.

Pub Date: Feb. 11, 1963

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1963

Categories: FICTION