Captain Alatriste

Captain Alatriste is the opening chapter in a series of novels detailing the adventures of the book's namesake, a veteran soldier turned sword for hire. The story is narrated by Captain Alatriste's page, the son of a fallen comrade in one of Spain's many military campaigns. The narration gives the story some good texture, and comes across like you are listening to Inigo recall events long past their time. This is a good thing, because the story is so incredible that it is better as a remembered tale. Perez-Reverte is an accomplished writer who knows how to keep a story moving, and most of the chapters end in a way that is hard to stop reading. Unfortunately the translation makes some of the prose seem a little off; it is hard to say why exactly (I don't speak a word of Spanish myself), I just feel like I am reading a translation- other books and novels I've read translations of haven't had this effect. Nearly all the characters in the story are overflowing with personality; especially the villains. They are a cast of good and bad you will love to love & hate. The setting is Spain of the 1600's, a fading world empire in the midst of the Inquisition and enthralled by its own past glories. The dark tones from the Inquisition add a great deal of atmosphere to the novel and the basics of Captain Alatriste's political setting are similar to character operating in Stalinist Russia, or Nazi Germany (read any books by Alan Furst for this brand of spy/adventure). These themes are tempered by the chivalry and splendor of the fading monarchy. All in all, an excellent setting that is not often touched by modern writers. As for the action, you will be well rewarded for your time; the swordplay is generous and exciting. [...].

The invincible Armada has recently lost and Spain is in upheaval from the shocker. Meanwhile former Spanish Captain Diego Alatriste returns home to Madrid because war injuries make the life of a soldier impossible to continue. Still he is a renowned swordsman so the President of the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition Fray Emilio Bocanegra hires him and an Italian assassin who normally works for the King's Secretary Gualterio Malatesta to allegedly frighten two Englishmen who have come to Madrid. Gualterio is irate because Diego confronts the two visitors giving them a chance to defend themselves; Gualterio prefers to kill from behind as a frontal fight frightens him. When the two Brits put up a strong defense, Diego, adhering to his mission, prevents Gualterio from killing them. However, by doing so he now has a deadly livid enemy who will patiently wait for the moment to strike him down from behind. Diego assists the English on their mission by keeping them safe, but also finds he is caught in the middle of disputing factions blaming one another for the Armada debacle. CAPTAIN ALASTRISTE is such a superb seventeenth century swashbuckler that any moment this reviewer expected Errol Flynn to show up. The story line is fast-paced, filled with non stop action, and the fully developed cast provides a deep look at Spain still reeling from the Amada catastrophe. It is that latter element that refreshes the sword swinging tale as readers will appreciate how deep a cut the impact that disaster had on the country and to a lesser degree through the two visitors on England. Arturo Pérez-Reverte writes a strong historical novel. Harriet Klausner

En esta primera aventura, Diego Alatriste deberá cumplir un misterioso encargo entre conspiraciones, azares y emboscadas en estrechos callejones, entre el brillo de los aceros, en las tabernas donde Francisco de Quevedo compone sonetos entre pendencias y botellas de vino, y en los corrales de comedias donde las representaciones de Lope de Vega terminan a cuchilladas. Acción, historia y aventura se dan cita en estas páginas inolvidables. Si te gusto y quedastes facinado y no pudistes saciar tu hambre por mas aventuras del Capitan Diego A. puedes seguir sus historias en los siguientes libros del mismo autor LIMPIEZA DE SANGRE y EL SOL DE BREDA.

Diego Alatriste y Tenorio protagoniza esta historia narrada magistralmente por la pluma de quien considero el mejor escritor hispanoamericano de la contemporaneidad. En el marco de una inquisición que ya no sabe a quién más acabar, soldados harapientos que sólo han contribuido a menoscabar el poderío español, y una monarquía que no entiende su fracaso, un pequeño huérfano, Iñigo Balboa, se convierte en el narrador de las aventuras de ese espadachín invencible y misterioso. Lleno de cicatrices y recuerdos, de cuentas por saldar y enemigos anónimos que se ocultan en las sombras, Alatriste desafiará al Santo Oficio: para él el honor es más valioso que su propia vida. Con este libro creo que todos los adultos podemos dejar fluir al niño interno que siempre soñó con ser Mosquetero, que en algún momento de la infancia empuñó una espada (muy plástica y sin filo, pero espada al fin), y hasta se colgó un trapo de capa. Es una lectura óptima y sin desperdicio: brillantemente escrita, pulcramente narrada, personajes únicos y extraordinariamente humanos. Lo mejor de todo es que la historia sigue, y ese placer nos pertenece. Por cierto, en la página web de Alfaguara existe una información muy completa sobre los personajes que conforman las aventuras del querido Capitán...