Diana Rosie
Alberto is an old man. But he doesn't know how old - he remembers nothing before his arrival at an orphanage during the Spanish civil war.
He rarely thinks about his missing childhood, but when seven-year-old Tino discovers his grandfather has never had a birthday party, never blown out candles on a birthday cake, never received a single birthday present, he's determined things should change. And so the two set out to find Alberto's birthday.
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Their search for the old man's memories takes them deep into the heart of Spain - a country that has pledged to forget its painful past.
As stories of courage, cruelty and love unfold, Alberto realises that he has lost more than a birthday. He has lost a part of himself. But with his grandson's help, he might just find it again.
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Reviews
"Moving, thoughtful and absorbing . . .
Alberto's Lost Birthday reminds us of the importance of home and the peace that comes with knowing who we truly are."
Mail on Sunday Event Magazine
"A truly moving first novel . . . If you're looking for a feel good book with a difference, this is it. This easy to read tale is a page turner that'll leave a smile on your face and a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart . . ."
Good to Know
"A fascinating look at Spain's troubled history and a heart-warming intergenerational love story about the bonds of family."
Red
"Charming . . . A film script surely beckons."
The Herald
"Alberto's Lost Birthday deserves a place on your bookshelf and a place in your heart."
Amazon Review
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"Pan Macmillan compares it to BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS, CHOCOLAT, and THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY."
The Buzz Books of the London Book Fair