Blog Tour: Bernardo and the Virgin by Silvio Sirias

Blog Tour: Bernardo and the Virgin by Silvio Sirias 06/15/2010

Bernardo and the Virgin
Silvio Sirias
(Northwestern University Press)ISBN-10: 0810122405ISBN-13: 978-0810122406

Review

Bernardo Martinez is a devout Catholic and sacristan in his church in Cuapa, Nicaraugua. Based on actual events, Bernardo and the Virgin is a sweeping tale that juxtaposes the spirituality of Catholicism against the revolution occurring as the socialist Sandinistas overthrow the Somoza regime. In 1980, Bernardo is visited by an apparition of the Virgin Mary and she instructs him to encourage everyone to pray the rosary daily and to "work for peace." He's well aware that he's not in a position where anyone would take him seriously, but his strong faith gives him the courage to be obedient. Not only do we learn how the title character is affected by the presence of the Virgin, but also that of others who all share some sort of connection with Bernardo. While interspersing Spanish throughout the novel, Sirias paints a vivid picture of village life in Cuapa. The overall tone is more spiritual than religious and exposes such humanity through Bernardo's complete surrender to his beliefs. This in spite of his being denied the priesthood in his youth because he was deemed to poor. Just as in Meet Me Under the Ceiba, Sirias has given us another beautifully written novel revealing the intricacies of Central America. Bernardo and the Virgin was a great reminder of why I love historical fiction.

Support the author and an indie bookstore. Purchase your copy of Bernardo and the Virgin at Dulce Bread & Bookshop.

Giveaway

We're also hosting a unique giveaway on this book tour. Leave a question to be answered in Friday's live chat with author Silvio Sirias and you may be selected to win one of each: a change-purse and a decoration made by the Kuna artisans in Panama, called Molas.

Tour Hosts

Mon June 7 Latino Book Examiner
Tues June 8 Regular Rumination and La Bloga
Wed June 9 When I Was in 'nam
Thurs June 10 Sandra's Book Club
Fri June 11 Sententia Vera

Mon June 14 The Tranquilo Traveler
Tues June 15 BrownGirl BookSpeak
Wed June 16 The Book Nook
Thur June 17 Pisti Totol-Black Bird
Fri June 18 Musings

Live chat is Friday, June 18 at 7 pm EST at Condor Book Tours.

Comments

Mayra Calvani link

06/15/2010 10:45am

Thanks for sharing the review!

Sandra Mariela

06/15/2010 11:06am

I love how in this review there is no doubt that the tone of the story is more spiritual than religious.

Bernardo & the Virgin does a marvelous job at not covering up the often times hard to accept truth about our culture and history: the dirt of our politics, the contradictions and hypocrisy of our religion (not our faith) and the ironies of our revolution. Not much has changed really. The photo remains valid.

Thanks for the review!

nilki link

06/15/2010 11:42am

I totally agree with the "humanity" that Silvio Sirias infuses into his portrayal of Bernardo. That was one of the most touching elements of this novel for me. It was a very compassionate portrayal.

Great review!

Silvio, do you think you'll continue to write historical fiction--has that become your niche of choice?

Silvio link

06/15/2010 11:49am

Hi, Mayra,

Thanks for taking the time to drop by. It means a lot to me considering your busy schedule.

Yours faithfully,

Silvio

Silvio link

06/15/2010 11:55am

Hi, Sandra Mariela,

Good to hear from you again. I like that the Terri's review says that the book is more spiritual than religious. If it came across as religious, I believe the narrative would then be pushing an agenda, as opposed as just telling a good story. But to highlight the spiritual is to highlight what's universal in all human beings, regardless of the religious bent of individuals.

Also, Sandra Mariela, what makes Nicaraguan history and culture so colorful are the shortcomings. These are what makes the story so human, so universal--even if the reader doesn't believe in apparitions.

Thanks for your visit,

Silvio

Silvio link

06/15/2010 1:01pm

Hi, Nilki,

Stories based on actual incidents was the easiest way for me to start writing fiction. There is so much that is not known in history that it gives a vast space for invention.

I am thrilled that on this tour several blog hosts have categorized BERNARDO as "Historical Fiction," for that is how I've perceived it--from its very conception.

Now . . . do I want to stay with historical fiction? Well, it's tempting because the genre has become somewhat comfortable to me--although writing a novel, regardless of genre, is an exhausting experience. But I am actually considering writing something less historical, more autobiographical, for young adults once I've completed a couple of projects I have floating.

Thanks for visiting,

Silvio

Cory Klein

06/15/2010 1:27pm

Silvio,
I have read the book and found it to be fascinating! I enjoy learning about different cultures and I felt your book was full of great description that allowed me to get a glimps of what life in Nicaragua is like. Could you share your thoughts on Bernardo's apparition of the Virgin Mary. Do you believe it to be true?

Also, do you have any plans to visit the States anytime soon?

BrownGirl

06/15/2010 2:38pm

Thanks Silvio! Bernardo could even be a personification of spirituality. He's so pure of heart, as mentioned near the end, which is probably why he was chosen. I think that's just what spirituality is-- religion unorganized and in its purest form before its bogged down by bureaucracy and personal human, flawed agendas.

Silvio link

06/15/2010 4:13pm

Hi, Cory,

How nice of you to visit. I'm delighted that you felt you experienced Nicaragua. It is one of my most fervent wishes that readers of BERNARDO leave with a sense of what life there is like.

Regarding whether I believe in the apparition or not, I know that Bernardo fully believed that she appeared to him. Whenever he spoke to me about it his face would acquire this angelic look; it was something to witness, let me tell you. Now, I started off being skeptical, but with the passage of time and with a few small incidents I experienced during and after the writing (someday I will take the time to write about them) I've become a believer. But that's something very personal and I would never try to convince anyone of my perspective.

Yours faithfully,

Silvio

Silvio link

06/15/2010 4:17pm

Hi, Terri,

First off, thank you so much for having me visit again. I love being a guest on your blog. And, second, thank you for the wonderful review.

What you've said about spirituality is spot on. I wouldn't change or add a word.

Yours,

Silvio