Book Review: Small Wars in Madrid by Anthony Ferner

Today, I ‘m pleased to share my review of an outstanding new novel, published by Fairlight Moderns on 14 March 2024.

‘Small Wars in Madrid’ by Anthony Ferner is a novel that evoked a number of emotions in me as a reader; at different times, I felt shocked, moved, and a strong sense of illumination.

This contemporary novel set in Spain defeated my expectations. Although the main plot, and the blurb, tells of a traumatised Spanish naval officer trying to recover his identity and his marriage following a tragic episode in his career, much of it was about his confused sense of himself as a Jewish person brought up in an adoptive Catholic family. I found the novel compulsive reading and the subject matter totally fascinating.

I have often wondered exactly what it means to be a cultural Jew, one who may even be agnostic or atheist; and why it may mean so much to take part in all the Jewish festivals and customs regardless of faith. In this story, we find David re-negotiating his relationships with two committed and observant Jewish women: his wife, Margalit, and his newly-rediscovered biological mother, Elena. Alongside this he is also struggling to manage his trauma. I have had so many unanswered questions about the essence of Jewishness, and in this story Anthony Ferner opens up that experience in the most vivid and compelling way.

I learned many new things in reading this book; I loved the main protagonist, David, and especially his best friend Marce, his companion who suffered alongside him during an intense and terrifying period of their lives fleeing violent militia groups in Lithuania. Incorporated within the novel was a tense survival story which I also found totally gripping.

Highly recommended novel from an inspiring author.

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About Me

Hello! My name’s Sheila and I write under the pen name of SC Skillman. I live in Warwick with my husband and son, and my daughter currently lives and works in Australia.

I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent, and have loved writing most of my life. I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia before returning to live and work in the UK. 

My output includes mystery fiction, and historical and paranormal nonfiction. Each of my nonfiction books is illustrated by 100 original full colour photos, mostly taken by myself, and others by my son and daughter (both talented photographers!)

In March 2023 I was the Nonfiction Adjudicator at the Scottish Association of Writers Annual Conference in Glasgow. I’m a member of the Society of Authors and the Association of Christian Writers.

My nonfiction books on Warwickshire are published by Amberley and include Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire and A-Z of Warwick. I’m now researching a fourth book for Amberley: Paranormal Gloucestershire. I also have a new contemporary fantasy novel in progress, called Director’s Cut.

In addition to my published books, I blog weekly on scskillman.com about books and films I love, people and places of inspiration, life, spirituality, history and travel.

I’m also a public speaker and have spoken to many groups and organisations about Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire, the quirky tales of Warwick, the art of writing nonfiction, and the power of story. Do get in touch with me if you’d like a speaker for your group!