Arturo Perez-Reverte, The Sun Over Breda

The Sun Over Breda

Arturo Perez-Reverte

Putnam, Apr 2007, $24.95

ISBN: 0399153837

The war between Spain and Holland has been going on for eighty years, including a twelve year truce. Spain considers Holland to be part of its empire, but the Calvinist Dutch want their freedom from Catholic Spain. Part of the Spanish army, including Captain Alatriste, is traveling to take Oudkerk, which they believe needs to be in Spain's territory because the rebels supply Breda with mercenaries and supplies needed to survive the siege.

Dutch, English, and French troops battle the Italian and Spanish soldiers in deadly combat. Blood flows on both sides, but the Dutch and their allies prevail so that some rations reach the beleaguered townsfolk. Alatriste becomes the de facto leader of the squadron; a cynic who sees the truth about the "glory" of war yet passionately defends Spain's honor. His "apprentice," fifteen-year-old Inigo Bablbo worships him though he tries to temper the teen's enthusiasm for war. Still, Alatriste is on the front lines of breaking of the siege at the fortified town of Breda. He knows at all times this could be his last moment of life.

Told in the first person by Inigo, readers obtain a deep look at a soldier's life in the early-seventeenth century. The lead character understands that soldiering means kill or be killed. Dying is the only way of life in battle as death, maiming and gore are the outputs of war. He hopes to purvey that message to the hero-worshipping Inigo. THE SUN OVER BREDA is a fabulous historical thriller with a message that remains powerful even today.

Harriet Klausner