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.
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.
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
"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