Poignant, touching and expressive, ‘Last Sardana’ is a family drama set in Spain when modern tourism was in its infancy. This is book one in a series and the story highlights Maria and Pedro, mother and son who suffer a tragedy when Pedro is 12 years old. As both attempt to adjust to life, they move from their fishing village home and discover a new world opening out to them. Ray Harwood writes with articulate clarity, a simple family tale is told, and it feels as though it could be real. Small things matter, descriptions of everyday life sit alongside life changing moments, creating a gentle yet dynamic tale. At times sorrowful and moving, at others amusing and light hearted, this is a convincing and engaging read. ~ Liz Robinson
Last Sardana begins the story of a mother, MariaMartinez, and 12-year-old son Pedro, with modest beginnings in Rosas, a Spanish Costa Brava fishing village. Set in the fifties, Maria was widowed by a tragic disaster at sea. Together they uproot south to be under the wing of her brother-in-law, who is developing an hotel on the Martinez family land. Maria and Pedro, in their separate ways, become pivotal to that. There Pedro is exposed to the 'University of Life' through adolescence itself. His creative talent is encouraged and exposed, as are the challenges of a veritable fan club of contemporary girlfriends, discovering their own emotions and playing with his. Diverse characters comprising the initial hotel clientele enter his life, as do a field of sunflowers and a deaf, mute boy whose great artistic talents Peter discovers, to take into the future. Maria finds new and exciting love too...
Ray Harwood has spent a lifetime in property development related corporate situations. Writing as a hobby fits in with photography, painting, golf and family. Ray and his wife, Dean, live in Surrey. Last Sardana and Sardana Encore are the first two books in a six-part 'Sardana Series', all written in holiday mode, and Ray intends that Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, will benefit through publications.
