Deargadh Anoir

Review by: Úna Ní Chárthaigh

August 1936 and there is civil war in Spain, where teenage Alejo (14) lives with his family. They are forced to flee from their home to seek refuge as Franco’s forces strengthen with support from Mussolini and Hitler. From the beginning of this journey, they are hit with every imaginable hardship and we get to know Alejo and appreciate his brave personality.

War is ravaging Spain as tensions between Fascist and Communist groups worsen. Alejo knows well that he must go along with things if he is to protect his life amongst the fighting. As a result, he often does things against his will: reluctantly accepting a gun and marching with Fascists. He is first captured by a group of Fascists when one of their members, Ignacio, recognises him from their hometown. During this time, he is forced to train as a soldier and the true horrors and violence of war are laid bare to the reader.

The story provides us with an interesting insight into this dark era of Spanish history through Alejo’s perspective. His is an unpredictable and erratic journey as he makes his way from Spain to Russia. There are lots of twists and turns and he is also captured by a group of Republicans. Pieces of information about the political state are dropped into the story for context, like Alejo learning that the government in Madrid has fallen and the capital city has been taken by Franco’s forces.  From fighting in the trenches to visits to hospital, where he is reacquainted with Ignacio and the two escape together, Alejo finally ends up travelling with a group of Jews who are seeking refuge.

Alejo has very limited choices throughout this story, however there is a glimmer of hope when he meets this group at the end. They have heard about an island in the Caribbean which welcomes Jews and Alejo goes about building a boat to join them on their ambitious journey.

Deargadh Anoir is a shocking and important story, and unfortunately very relevant in today’s world. The theme of suffering is strong throughout from poverty and hunger to murder and violence. But in the end, we are left with hope. Alejo and his group start making plans to begin a farm and set up a shop on the island. They dream about white sandy beaches, blue skies and green fields. Despite the hardship, Alejo never gives up and shows us that hope trumps all.