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The year is 1866 and revolution is brewing in Spain. The corrupt Bourbon queen, Isabella II, is slowly losing her grip on power as equally corrupt exiled politicians vie to be her successor in a new republic. Against this background of political upheaval, Don Jaime goes about his business, teaching a dying art to a dwindling number of students. This is a man who resists changing times; to a friend he explains, "I have spent my whole life trying to preserve a certain idea of myself, and that is all. You have to cling to a set of values that do not depreciate with time. Everything else is the fashion of the moment, fleeting, mutable. In a word, nonsense." But then Adela de Otero--a woman with a mysterious past and an amazing talent for swordplay--comes into his life, and Don Jaime's world is turned upside down. As always, Pérez-Reverte offers literary excellence, a thumping good mystery, and fascinating insight into an arcane practice, in this case, fencing. Though the 19th-century politics in the book may resonate more with a Spanish audience than with English readers, the moral at the heart of The Fencing Master is universal: "to be honest, or at least honorable--anything, indeed, that has its roots in the word honor." In this, Don Jaime and Arturo Pérez-Reverte both succeed. --Alix Wilber
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A brilliantly compelling historical mystery, set in nineteenth-century Spain.Fencing is not a game but a science. The outcome is invariably the same- triumph or disaster, life or death.It is 1868; Spain teeters on the brink of revolution. Jaime Astarloa is a master-fencer of the old school, priding himself on the precision, dignity and honour of his ancient art; his friends spend their days in cafes discussing plots at court, but Jaime's obsession is to perfect the irresistible sword thrust. Then Adela de Otero, violet-eyed and enigmatic, appears at his door. When Jaime takes her on as a pupil he finds himself embroiled in dark political intrigues against which his old-fashioned values are no protection. Jaime Astarloa is a master-fencer of the old school, priding himself on the precision, dignity and honour of his ancient art; When Jaime takes her on as a pupil he finds himself embroiled in dark political intrigues against which his old-fashioned values are no protection. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780099448624
Book Description Condition: New. pp. 224. Seller Inventory # 263074368
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780099448624
Book Description Condition: New. pp. 224. Seller Inventory # 5854879
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780099448624
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. Jaime Astarloa is a master-fencer of the old school, priding himself on the precision, dignity and honour of his ancient art; When Jaime takes her on as a pupil he finds himself embroiled in dark political intrigues against which his old-fashioned values are no protection. Seller Inventory # B9780099448624
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Brand New Copy. Seller Inventory # BBB_new0099448629
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 224 pages. 7.76x5.08x0.55 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0099448629
Book Description Condition: New. In English. Seller Inventory # ria9780099448624_new
Book Description Condition: New. 1999. New Ed. Paperback. It is 1868; Spain teeters on the brink of revolution. Jaime Astarloa is a master-fencer of the old school, priding himself on the precision, dignity and honour of his ancient art; his friends spend their days in cafes discussing plots at court, but Jaime's obsession is to perfect the irresistible sword thrust. Translator(s): Costa, Margaret Jull. Num Pages: 224 pages. BIC Classification: FV. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 198 x 130 x 15. Weight in Grams: 168. . . . . . Seller Inventory # V9780099448624