Our Learner's latest novel

The Wind from across the Mountains - Phyllis Bischoff

Phyllis says; "The subject of the novel is the 'Retirada', one of Europe's worst and least known refugee crises, during which the Spanish Republicans escaped Barcelona when it fell to Franco's forces at the end of the Spanish Civil War. The main protagonist, Penelope, is a historian, who plans to write about it, and who finds a hitherto undiscovered diary, written by a young girl who is escaping with her family.

Penelope rents a house in South West France, where may of the refugees ended up, from an American professor and, when he arrives in France, it emerges that he has an ulterior motive and their budding relationship sours.

The inspiration for the novel came from my knowledge of the area - particularly the beaches where many of the refugees ended up, and also my interest in the Spanish Civil War and its far-reaching consequences.

I have already written three previous novels, two of which are based on twentieth century history and each took 2-3 years to write. I usually spend about a third of that time researching the subject.

At present I am studying Advanced Spanish conversation with Gemma Bastida Garcia. I have already completed two sessions and am hoping to continue.

Gemma is an inspiring tutor with a deep knowledge of Spanish (and British!) culture and the lessons are always stimulating.

Although the KAE course did not directly inspire the book, it certainly played into some of the themes which we discussed.