134 pages • 4 hours read
The Fountains of Silence: A Novel
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Book Brief
512
Novel • Fiction
Madrid, Spain • 1950s
2019
YA
14-18 years
HL620L
Super Short Summary
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys, set in 1957 Madrid, follows Ana, a hotel worker burdened by family poverty and the oppressive Franco regime. Ana's life intertwines with Daniel, an American aspiring photojournalist, sparking a forbidden love. Eighteen years later, after Franco's death, they reunite, revealing long-hidden truths about stolen children and enduring hope amid historical trauma.
Challenging
Emotional
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
76,665 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ruta Sepetys' The Fountains of Silence skillfully portrays post-Civil War Spain, weaving a rich narrative with thorough historical research. Critics praise the novel's compelling characters, vivid descriptions, and poignant themes of familial and political tension. Some, however, feel its pacing can be slow, and its ending a bit contrived. Overall, it's a powerful, evocative read.
Who Should Read The Fountains of Silence?
The ideal reader for The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys enjoys historical fiction that delves into deeply emotional, human stories set against significant historical backdrops. Fans of Markus Zusak's The Book Thief and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale will appreciate its rich narrative and exploration of Spain under Franco's rule.
76,665 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ana Torres Moreno
Ana Torres Moreno
A young Spanish woman living under Franco's regime, desiring love and freedom while constrained by societal expectations of silence and submission. She forms a significant connection with Daniel.
Rafa Torres Moreno
Rafa Torres Moreno
Ana's older brother, haunted by past experiences and driven to confront fear, representing resilience amid adversity in Spain's political climate.
Julia
Julia
Ana and Rafa's eldest sister, who carries the responsibility of family care and focuses on survival while coping with personal loss under Franco's Spain.
Puri
Puri
The cousin of Rafa, Ana, and Julia, who starts as an innocent supporter of Franco's regime but experiences a gradual disillusionment with her belief system.
Fuga/El Huérfano
Fuga/El Huérfano
Rafa's best friend and a character who symbolizes a form of Spain that was altered by the Civil War, possessing remarkable bullfighting skills.
Nick Van Dorn
Nick Van Dorn
The son of Shep Van Dorn, known for his unpredictable behavior and loyal friendship to Daniel and Ana, facing personal struggles related to his father's actions.
Shep Van Dorn
Shep Van Dorn
Nick's father and a character who initially appears kind but reveals a more troubling side through his interactions with Ana.
Ben Stahl
Ben Stahl
A seasoned newspaperman who mentors Daniel, offering insights into Spain's political situation and supporting Daniel's journey.
512
Novel • Fiction
Madrid, Spain • 1950s
2019
YA
14-18 years
HL620L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.