I read this book a couple of years back and I wish I had it with me so I can re-read if for this book tour. Dr. Sirias created a series of rich characters to narrate an important part of Nicaraguan history. I especially enjoyed that each of the characters had a specific personality and I love how the stories intertwined. Definitely a must read! Good luck with the rest of the tour

The more I read the reviews and the comments about don Silvio’s books, the more convince I am that he’s not only an outstanding writer but also a natural-born exporter. He knows exactly how to export the flavor of a country and the feelings of its people. His writing is an unforgettable ride. Don Silvio, have you ever thought about having a warning sign in the cover of your books? “Before reading, buckle up! The ride will be wild!”

Monica, thanks for the visit. I am delighted you enjoyed the characters. They were fun to create and the challenge of bringing their stories together was a terrific adventure for me as a writer. Great to hear from you.

Thank you, Yvel for your kind words. It’s funny, but I do think of my novels as an exportation/translation of Nicaraguan culture for an English-speaking audience. I am glad you noticed that. Thanks for the visit, as well.

Silvio

I am on my third reading of Bernardo and the Virgin. I always find a new interesting thought-line to dwell on. The book inspired me to physically visit Cuapa, NI. That was a moving experience. It brought each character to real life to me. It was like I was living there amongst them while defining my faith. Thank you, Silvio for great reading.

Hi, Jacqueline. Third reading! Wow, I am honored and touched beyond words. What’s more, I am delighted you were moved to visit Cuapa. The apparition site is a special place indeed–a place, as you say, where any person can define one’s own faith. Thanks for visiting.

THis summer I am re-reading Bernardo and the Virgin. It is such a great book and it seems like a shame that i haven’t read it in like 4 years. Also I need to get me a copy of Meet Me Under the Ceiba.

Hi, Istarbel. Thank you for your support out there. I hope you’re able to get your hands on a copy of MEET ME UNDER THE CEIBA real soon.

I have been following your virtual tour and enjoyed learning about you and your work, Silvio. Best wishes for continued success.

Hi, Raul. Thanks for your visint and your good wishes. I understand you finished the galley proofs of HOUSE DIVIDED and are ready to send them to the publisher! Best of luck with your novel(s) and please consider Condor Book Tours for your next launching. I’m a very satisfied customer.

Hi Josh and Silvio. This is a great post–Josh, I know you’ve done a lot of traveling in Nicaragua, I was wondering when you’re planning on traveling there again? And Silvio, I know you are going soon,do either of you find that things have changed much since the 80s when Bernardo takes place? not so much politically, as more the “essence” maybe of the country?

For those that are stopping by today, I wanted to remind everyone that there will be a live chat with Silvio this Friday, if you want to visit some more!

http://condorbooktours.com/index.php?pr=Author_Chat_Salon

Hi, Nilki. First of all, thank you for doing such a wonderful job coordinating this tour. I always look forward to your visit at each site. Now, the main difference in Nicaragua of the 80s and of today is, unfortunately, a sad one: the 80s were characterized by a lot of idealism, and that has been replaced with cynicism. Yet, Nicaraguans seem to preserve their humor in the face of challenges that would make most of us cry.

And to everyone else, please join us for the live chat on Friday.

The one thing about Bernardo that stands out for me, aside from the richness of the content and symbolism, are the cross-cutting themes. The landscapes, sounds and smells of the country are almost a theme of their own and an important part of the reader experience. The complexity of the characters and the different storylines are told in a way that challenges our senses.

Some sounds and smells of Nicaragua are so accurately captured in the novel, you can almost savor each chapter. For instance, the reference to the hilachas de mango is so graphic you can almost feel the mango mechudo stuck in between your teeth

Dr. Sirias, your portrayal of chontaleños has always puzzled me. I wonder where your impression of them comes from. Did you live in Chontales for a while? Because like in every country, we have stereotypes for each region, so I am curious to know if your portrayal of them comes only from stories you’ve heard about them?

Thanks Josh for a great post!

Hi, Sandra. It pleases me to no end to learn that you feel that you were “taken” to Nicaragua as a reader. That, indeed, was a great part of my aim.

About the chontale~nos . . . to be honest, I am not very familiar with the stereotypes about them. My knowledge, however, comes from exposure to chontale~nos since childhood. Both sides of my family come from Chontales, and a lot of the stories told about the chontale~nos in BERNARDO AND THE VIRGIN are actually family stories (there are stories and a chapter set in Chontales in MEET ME UNDER THE CEIBA as well.) What more, since age nine I have been traveling to Chontales, to visit my grandfather who, along with his family, lived in Santo Tomas. Then, while researching the novel, I spent a lot of time there, particularly in Cuapa, soaking up the landscape, culture, and the stories. But Chontales and chontale~nos have always been a presence in my life. And the final ingredient, the young housekeeper who took care of my wife and me while we lived in Nicaragua was from Cuapa, and she was a tremendous source of information about the customs of the people of this beautiful region.

Now . . . what puzzles you in particular? I am curious.

Great post! I have not read his books but now I will! They sound really great. I have also lived in Nicaragua and love reading books set there.

Thank you, Eirin. I hope you enjoy the novels.

Well, to be more specific, in the novel, chontaleños are referred to on various occasions as jinchos (closest translation I can think of at the moment for our gringo friends would be ‘hick’). So apart from being a little amused everytime this came up, I was puzzled by your intention to repeat it as much.

I was not sure whether you were stressing that they are not the smartest cookies out there to create a greater contrast with Bernardo’s story, character and unbreakable faith.

Sandra, I see what you mean now. I am not quite sure what my thinking was at the time, but I really wanted to drive the point home in the reader’s mind that both Bernardo and his fellow chontale~nos were not, as we say in the States, “City slickers” (as opposed to hicks).

Besides, a close friend once told me that my behavior was pretty high on the “jincho-metro,” and I took it as a compliment. I’d much rather be a hick. What’s more, perhaps subconciously I was thinking that La Virgen would never appeared to people who’ve be guiled by the modern world. I believe the simplicity of the people of Cuapa was attractive to her.

Se despide un jincho de corazon (y quizas de hecho),

Silvio

P.S. Dear Readers, I am calling it an early night. I will return to the Tranquilo Traveler tomorrow morning should you care to leave any questions or comments. And . . . a thousand thanks to Joshua Berman.

What I really wanna know is when is Josue’s opus of a Nica novel gonna hit the masses…free the prose!

I received a copy of Bernardo and the Virgin from my brother Kevin for Christmas 2007 while in Granada Nicaragua,He visited me in January and brought the book back to the states,I didnt read it until my return.I enjoyed the locations that I knew from my trip and the feel it gave one of the people ,the slang and of Nicaragua.I have returned there 3 more times. I also read read and liked Under the Ceiba.They are two totally different in story lines,but both give a insight into the country and people,I’ve recommended this book to Nica friends, only wish it was in Spanish also .I know this is a time consuming task,the local slang is described within the book but would like to see a glo sery of phrases at end of book like Moon Guide.Keep up the excellent work am awaiting next novel,thanks for the entertainment

I love it Silvio; a hincho at heart! Aren’t we all? You’re right, Nuestra Senora only chooses the humble. She “is” the author of humility. Quien causa tanta alegria? La Concepcion de Maria!