An encounter with a bullfighter in Sydney leads Tim Elliott to Spain, hot on the trail of Jesulin, a young, charismatic and talented bullfighter dubbed ‘the Beckham of bullfighting’. Elliott already has a passion for Spain and the Spanish and, through Jesulin, he hopes to uncover even more about this flamboyant country and perhaps even get to the heart of its colourful people. Elliott’s quixotic journey leads him all over Spain, trying to track down one possible lead after another, all the while learning more about Spain’s history and culture, and meeting a series of eccentric, ostensibly helpful, characters. So when he finally gets to meet Jesulin-for a measly 20 minutes-Elliott is hungry and desperate for the revelations to tumble forth. What unique insights about Spain and bullfighting will this demi-god have to offer Elliott? Elliott’s book makes for a funny yet thoughtful read. He obviously enjoys the craziness he encounters in Spain but at the same time the financial and emotional gamble he has taken by going on this trip-leaving his wife and newborn daughter at home-gives the narrative an intense edge. An informative and passionate cultural narrative about Spain.

Kabita Dhara is a bookseller and freelance editor.

This review from Australian Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

Tags: tim elliott