Drew Launay

The Maestro of Almijara Drew Launay

Inspired by true events that happened in Frigiliana in southern Spain in the 1970's, this, the second of Drew Launay's 'Almijara' novels, reunites us with his loveable cast of characters dealing with life in a typical Andalucían mountain pueblo, as well as struggling to come to terms with the 'modern' world of telephones, electricity, and foreigners... From the pompous school teacher Maestro Muñoz, the village's self-appointed intellectual, to canny Placido, owner of the Bar Alhambra, whose wife Conchita always nags him 'whenever she has the chance', we return to the Andalucía a few years after the death of General Franco, when telephones and electricity are still a marvel, and where every doorway is open to every neighbour and passerby, (which, of course, is also the best way to find out any gossip). Who was the rich stranger staying at the Bar Alhambra? Why did he want to buy the barren and unprofitable olive groves? The dusty streets of the Spanish village of Almijara are buzzing with fevered speculation. As insignificant an event as the arrival of an extranjero is big news in tiny, secluded Almijara. Imagine the hullaballoo caused by a whole film crew with lights, cameras and lots of money, who swarmed in one day. But despite such upsets, the villagers simply drink, laugh, relax and life continues much as it has for centuries.