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4 comments about Miracle in Seville.

1. Hearing about the bull fights before visiting Spain I thought how cruel and terrible. My opinion was based on ideas I do not share and a culture I do not understand. In Madrid, I experienced a bullfight sitting next to a local. What I learned to appreciate that day. Now reading "Miracle", again my perspective has been changed. And isn't that what truly good reading does - changes our perspective? Michener teaches about the history and glory of the bullfight creating an understanding with the reader. While still not my choice of sport for the treatment of the animal, I better understand the bullfight. Thanks, Michener!



2. I found that this book captured the beauty of Seville in all of it's grandeur. It described the love and passion of bullfighting and how it is reflected in the religous faith of it's most devout. The book accurately describes the love and devotion that the Spanish in Seville have for Our most Holy Mother. She is love and she is above all things. The book tells of how Our Lady peforms all kinds of miracles for those good and devout to her.



3. Anyone who knows Spain and bullfighting can only cringe (or hoot in derision) upon reading this ridiculous book. One has to wonder if Michener ever really visited this country. Among the many inaccuracies in the book, I'll list a few of the craziest: he has Spaniards spending pesos (the currency in Spain is pesetas), he has the locals referring to El Puerto de Santa Maria as "Santa Maria" (which no one does), and he has two bullfighters blaming a third for ruining their chances of getting carried out of the bullring in triumph (this simply never happens--each bullfighter is judged on his own merits). And the book is just badly written--somehow managing to be dull and melodrmatic at the same time. The "fiery gypsy" is an absurd stereotype, and all the characters are presented in the most wooden and amateurish manner. Only John Fulton's fine illustrations save the book from being a total loss (but Fulton--who was himself a matador--should have been ashamed of himself for being party to such a travesty).



4. This is a nice brief read that emphasizes the power of faith. Although it is a story about a bull ranch breeder , his bulls and the bullfighters, the story draws strongly on mystic beliefs of the the gypsy as well as the grace of religion and the Virgin Mary. The story takes palce during Holy Week in Spain and the pagentry of the religious street processions and the ring are told with great detail. Michner is a marvelous story teller. Remember this is a novel, therefore creative liberty is expected and usually the norm when it comes to presenting a story. One annonymous reviewer here was offended by the inaccuracies. Suffice to say, there is a difference between fiction and non-fiction; this work is a fiction novel. One of the highlights of this lovely story is the tremendous art work by the late American matador de toros, John Fulton. The twenty-six drawings are mini-art treasures to be appreciated as you read the story of the arrogant gypsy matador Gomez, his ally sister, the fortune teller Magdalena Lopez,the cross-eyed Virgin Mary known as La Bizca, Mr. Shenstone and Don Cayetano Mota and his bulls. Reading this story with the illustrations is a experience that brings life and color to the pages. This is a great story , told in the manner that only James Michner can that will captivate the imagination while you are reading about the exploits of the various characters. Recommended for lovers of exotic fiction steeped in the power of faith.

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