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‘A beautiful book, story, piece of history. From the haunting tones of the flamenco to a country ravaged by fanaticism. Hardly a day goes past since finishing this book that I don’t think about some aspect of it. One of the best books I have read in a long time’ Real Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Granada’s cobbled streets resonate with music and secrets and Sonia Cameron is here to dance. She knows nothing of the city’s past. But in a quiet café, a chance conversation and a collection of photographs draws her into the tale of Spain’s devastating civil war.

Seventy years earlier, the café is home to the Ramírez family, when Franco’s army coup shatters the fragile peace and they witness the worst atrocities of conflict. Divided by politics and tragedy, everyone must take a side, as Spain rips itself apart.

Discover for yourself why 10 million readers and critics worldwide love Victoria Hislop’s books . . .



The Return aims to open the eyes and tug the heartstrings . . . Hislop deserves a medal for opening a breach into the holiday beach bag’ The Independent

The Return should be required holiday reading for anyone going to Spain’ Daily Mail

‘Executed with verve and sensitivity’ Sunday Telegraph

‘A gripping read’ Woman & Home

‘Dramatic and immediate . . . keeps you reading at breakneck speed right to the end’ Sunday Express

‘A powerful read’ Real Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘Victoria Hislop spins the emotional tale of one family and the horrors the war caused to them, and other families . . . a great story of hope, determination and love’ Real Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘A vivid story . . . interwoven with history and human resilience and determination’ Real Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘A wonderfully evocative tale of life before, during and after the Spanish Civil War . . . Fantastic’ Real Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐


*Victoria Hislop’s most recent novel, THE FIGURINE, is out now.*

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Reviews

The Return aims to open the eyes, and tug the heartstrings, of readers . . . Hislop deserves a medal for opening a breach into the holiday beach bag
Independent
The Return should be required holiday reading for anyone going to Spain
Daily Mail
The Return may be a beach book, but it also goes inland and rummages around in the cellars
The Times
Fear not, Hislop fans, there was more where [The Island] came from... The story of the Spanish Civil War is...executed with verve and sensitivity
Sunday Telegraph
Like a literary Nigella, she whips up a cracking historical romance mixed with a dash of family secrets and a splash of female self-discovery... What sets Hislop apart is her ability to put a human face on the shocking civil conflict that ripped Spain apart for three bloody years . . . Stirring stuff
Time Out
Brilliantly recreates the passion that flows through the Andalusian dancers and the dark creative force of duende . . . Hislop has written another worthy candidate for the "best holiday read" category
Scotland on Sunday
Brilliant
Mirror
A gripping read
Woman & Home