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Shadow of a Bull
Manolo Olivar is the son of the greatest matador in Spain, Juan Olivar, who was killed by a bull. Because he is the son of such a famous torero, everyone expects Manolo to be a bullfighter. But, Manolo does not have the "aficion",ie. the love for corridas. He is even afraid of bulls. At twelve, he must fight his first bull. But no matter how much he practices, he lacks what it takes to be a matador. On the contrary, his friend, Juan Garcia, has the vocation to be a bullfighter. But nobody clearly seems to be giving him a chance.
Manolo once meets a doctor at a bullfight who heals a large wound made by the bull's horns. He asks Manolo to help him. The young boy enjoys this very much and would rather become a doctor than a bullfighter. He thinks that what the doctor is doing is "the most noble thing a man could do".
The day for the bullfight comes. Manolo shows great courage in overcoming his fear and successfully fights the bull in the first part of the corrida, where the torero uses a cape. But in the second part, where the torero is using the muleta and must kill the bull with a sword, he realizes that bullfighting is not his vocation. He offers the bull to his friend, Juan, who gets the chance of his life.
The story ends with the old doctor who had guessed the desires of Manolo's heart, asking him to become his apprentice. Manolo is happy and at peace since "his father's life, bullfighting, would stay a part of him, as it always had been, but in a different way than anyone had planned". (A doctor is always present at a corrida.)
Manolo once meets a doctor at a bullfight who heals a large wound made by the bull's horns. He asks Manolo to help him. The young boy enjoys this very much and would rather become a doctor than a bullfighter. He thinks that what the doctor is doing is "the most noble thing a man could do".
The day for the bullfight comes. Manolo shows great courage in overcoming his fear and successfully fights the bull in the first part of the corrida, where the torero uses a cape. But in the second part, where the torero is using the muleta and must kill the bull with a sword, he realizes that bullfighting is not his vocation. He offers the bull to his friend, Juan, who gets the chance of his life.
The story ends with the old doctor who had guessed the desires of Manolo's heart, asking him to become his apprentice. Manolo is happy and at peace since "his father's life, bullfighting, would stay a part of him, as it always had been, but in a different way than anyone had planned". (A doctor is always present at a corrida.)
165 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1964
About the author
Maia Wojciechowska
37 books11 followersMaia Wojciechowska was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1927, and later lived in France and England. Eventually, her family moved to the United States.
A writer of books for young readers, in 1964 Maia Wojciechowska wrote the book "Shadow of a Bull", which was named the Newbery Medal winner in 1965.
In 2002 she died of a stroke in Long Beach, New Jersey. She was seventy-four years old.
A writer of books for young readers, in 1964 Maia Wojciechowska wrote the book "Shadow of a Bull", which was named the Newbery Medal winner in 1965.
In 2002 she died of a stroke in Long Beach, New Jersey. She was seventy-four years old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
October 16, 2013
BULLFIGHTING!is the setting of this book, but not the topic. The topic is a rich, nuanced look at patrimony, heritage, honor, courage, and your duty to community expectations. Wojciechowska is not concerned with debating ethics and animal cruelty; she is only interested in bullfighting as a backdrop to her story about a boy's decision on how to be brave and how to spend his life.
That being said, this book is a wealth of information about the art and culture of bullfighting. If you are disgusted by descriptions of killing and goring, then you will not enjoy this book. Wojciechowska unsqueamishly shows both the beautiful and ugly parts of bullfighting, but she makes no effort to debate them. This book could just as easily have been written about skiing.
The plot- a boy is told he should be a bullfighter, but he's not sure he wants to be- is hardly unique. However, it is presented in this novel with a rare honesty and complexity. I was in steadily mounting suspense to see how the dilemma would resolve, and I read the book quickly.
That being said, this book is a wealth of information about the art and culture of bullfighting. If you are disgusted by descriptions of killing and goring, then you will not enjoy this book. Wojciechowska unsqueamishly shows both the beautiful and ugly parts of bullfighting, but she makes no effort to debate them. This book could just as easily have been written about skiing.
The plot- a boy is told he should be a bullfighter, but he's not sure he wants to be- is hardly unique. However, it is presented in this novel with a rare honesty and complexity. I was in steadily mounting suspense to see how the dilemma would resolve, and I read the book quickly.
March 13, 2012
Shadow Of A Bull is a well-written Newbery Medal winner. The book was recommended by a teacher who had read it to her class.
I enjoyed Maia Wojciechowska's writing style.
"The town, suddenly, like a spring gushing from under a rock, flowed into song. The guitars began a race; the tambourines of the gypsies joined in; and the castanets, like a million clattering hoofs, lent their beat." (p. 60)
"They listened to the quarrels that erupted like brush fires and died as suddenly as they started." (p. 61)
I had to force myself to complete the book. What I learned from the book is that I have an intense dislike for bullfighting. It tortured me to read of the bulls being taunted, attacked by picadores and killed by the bullfighter after showcasing the his skills. Bull heads were sometimes preserved and hung on walls in commemoration of animals' courage. The goring of the matadores seemed senseless. I resented the six men in black who prepared Manolo Olivar for his bullfight that was to be his coming-of-age ritual.
Shadow of a Bull is a dark story. The events that take place lead to a satisfying conclusion but this was a novel that I personally did not enjoy.
I enjoyed Maia Wojciechowska's writing style.
"The town, suddenly, like a spring gushing from under a rock, flowed into song. The guitars began a race; the tambourines of the gypsies joined in; and the castanets, like a million clattering hoofs, lent their beat." (p. 60)
"They listened to the quarrels that erupted like brush fires and died as suddenly as they started." (p. 61)
I had to force myself to complete the book. What I learned from the book is that I have an intense dislike for bullfighting. It tortured me to read of the bulls being taunted, attacked by picadores and killed by the bullfighter after showcasing the his skills. Bull heads were sometimes preserved and hung on walls in commemoration of animals' courage. The goring of the matadores seemed senseless. I resented the six men in black who prepared Manolo Olivar for his bullfight that was to be his coming-of-age ritual.
Shadow of a Bull is a dark story. The events that take place lead to a satisfying conclusion but this was a novel that I personally did not enjoy.
February 27, 2020
"When Manolo was nine he became aware of three important facts in his life. First: the older he became, the more he looked like his father. Second: he, Manolo Olivar, was a coward. Third: everyone in the town of Arcangel expected him to grow up to be a famous bullfighter, like his father."
To be a bullfighter was to be revered for a bullfighter was a hero, a magician, and a killer of death. In Arcangel, death came in the form of a bull and to conquer death brought glory to yourself, your family, and your country. Manolo was the son of Juan Olivar, the greatest bullfighter in Spain. Ever since his father’s death, everyone anxiously awaited the day when Manolo would take his father’s place and Spain would once again have a hero. But unlike his father, Manolo’s future was not prophesied for greatness and he worried that his heart would never allow him to live up to the expectations of his town or the legacy left by his father.
Maia Wojciechowska’s "Shadow of a Bull" (winner of the 1965 Newberry Award) is a book brimming with valuable lessons and important messages of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-importance. She encourages the reader to question the idea of heroes and those we choose to idolize—the celebrated sports figure or the wizened town physician—and she shows us the emotional and physical price of sacrificing your own future in order to carry on someone else’s. She writes of life versus death, bravery versus fear, and a dream versus destiny. It’s a lot to take in, but Wojciechowska lays out all of these issues as smoothly as a matador works his cape.
"Shadow of a Bull" is rich in its history and detail regarding the art of bullfighting. Readers will learn the training involved and will be introduced to several Spanish terms (pronunciation guide and definitions are included at the back of the book). It’s an effective primer for the sport that may test the patience of a few readers, but proves interesting nonetheless. Above all else, Wojciechowska doesn’t let us forget that the heart of this book is young Manolo, a boy wishing to bring honor to his family by fulfilling a future that is beyond his desire or control. He carries the hopes and dreams of an entire country on his very small shoulders and we feel the weight of this burden grow heavier as the day of his testing nears. It’s a beautifully told coming-of-age story of a boy trying to discover his place in the world.
Walter M. Schirra, Sr.—a fighter pilot during World War I and father of Wally Schirra, the only astronaut to fly in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs—once said, “You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes, even if it’s just in your own eyes.” By being true to himself, Manolo found honor beyond the shadow of a bull and was able to become a hero in his own right.
To be a bullfighter was to be revered for a bullfighter was a hero, a magician, and a killer of death. In Arcangel, death came in the form of a bull and to conquer death brought glory to yourself, your family, and your country. Manolo was the son of Juan Olivar, the greatest bullfighter in Spain. Ever since his father’s death, everyone anxiously awaited the day when Manolo would take his father’s place and Spain would once again have a hero. But unlike his father, Manolo’s future was not prophesied for greatness and he worried that his heart would never allow him to live up to the expectations of his town or the legacy left by his father.
Maia Wojciechowska’s "Shadow of a Bull" (winner of the 1965 Newberry Award) is a book brimming with valuable lessons and important messages of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-importance. She encourages the reader to question the idea of heroes and those we choose to idolize—the celebrated sports figure or the wizened town physician—and she shows us the emotional and physical price of sacrificing your own future in order to carry on someone else’s. She writes of life versus death, bravery versus fear, and a dream versus destiny. It’s a lot to take in, but Wojciechowska lays out all of these issues as smoothly as a matador works his cape.
"Shadow of a Bull" is rich in its history and detail regarding the art of bullfighting. Readers will learn the training involved and will be introduced to several Spanish terms (pronunciation guide and definitions are included at the back of the book). It’s an effective primer for the sport that may test the patience of a few readers, but proves interesting nonetheless. Above all else, Wojciechowska doesn’t let us forget that the heart of this book is young Manolo, a boy wishing to bring honor to his family by fulfilling a future that is beyond his desire or control. He carries the hopes and dreams of an entire country on his very small shoulders and we feel the weight of this burden grow heavier as the day of his testing nears. It’s a beautifully told coming-of-age story of a boy trying to discover his place in the world.
Walter M. Schirra, Sr.—a fighter pilot during World War I and father of Wally Schirra, the only astronaut to fly in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs—once said, “You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes, even if it’s just in your own eyes.” By being true to himself, Manolo found honor beyond the shadow of a bull and was able to become a hero in his own right.
January 12, 2018
*This review contains spoilers!*
This book is really, really good. I usually spend a good amount of time during these reviews going back and forth on why or why not the title we’re discussing is or isn’t Newbery worthy. I’m not going to do that this time. There’s no question that Shadow of a Bull is distinguished and award-worthy. I love how compact the story is. It’s a novel about growing up, becoming a man, facing fears and finding identity all packed into 150 pages. There’s plenty in there about fighting bulls too. I feel like I could do it now. I still don’t feel like the fighting is really fair, though. I mean, the bull gets killed way more often than the bullfighter, and the odds are kind of stacked against him. Several characters in the book say that the bull really wants to die this way, but I call bull crap. (no pun intended.) That bull really would probably rather be left alone to eat and mate and just be a bull. But anyways this book isn’t about the ethics of bull fighting. The narrator doesn’t take a stance.The ending even surprised me a little. I thought Monolo was just going to run away and become a doctor, comfortable being who he was, but no, he actually got in the ring and confronted his fears, and then,a fter conquering them, left and became a doctor. Beautiful ending. Sorry if I spoiled it for anyone.
This book is really, really good. I usually spend a good amount of time during these reviews going back and forth on why or why not the title we’re discussing is or isn’t Newbery worthy. I’m not going to do that this time. There’s no question that Shadow of a Bull is distinguished and award-worthy. I love how compact the story is. It’s a novel about growing up, becoming a man, facing fears and finding identity all packed into 150 pages. There’s plenty in there about fighting bulls too. I feel like I could do it now. I still don’t feel like the fighting is really fair, though. I mean, the bull gets killed way more often than the bullfighter, and the odds are kind of stacked against him. Several characters in the book say that the bull really wants to die this way, but I call bull crap. (no pun intended.) That bull really would probably rather be left alone to eat and mate and just be a bull. But anyways this book isn’t about the ethics of bull fighting. The narrator doesn’t take a stance.The ending even surprised me a little. I thought Monolo was just going to run away and become a doctor, comfortable being who he was, but no, he actually got in the ring and confronted his fears, and then,a fter conquering them, left and became a doctor. Beautiful ending. Sorry if I spoiled it for anyone.
June 10, 2018
There was a nice little story in here about bravery and learning to live the one's own life versus the one others expect, but the truth is, I'm never going to enjoy a book about bullfighting.
May 9, 2021
Another great Newbery Medal winner! I didn't expect to be interested in or like this book about bull fighting, but I loved how it addressed the issue of free will.
Perhaps I was so touched by this because my first of eight will be graduating next week and I've been reflecting on how we've tried to guide her to be who God made her to be.
"Has anyone asked the boy if it is his wish to be here? It seems to me that we have taken upon ourselves God's prerogative playing with the destiny of a human being. Even God does not tamper with free will.
...
Be what you are. And if you do not yet know what you are, wait until you do. Do not let someone else make that decision for you.
...
Remember, Manolo...in the end it is all between you and God."
Perhaps I was so touched by this because my first of eight will be graduating next week and I've been reflecting on how we've tried to guide her to be who God made her to be.
"Has anyone asked the boy if it is his wish to be here? It seems to me that we have taken upon ourselves God's prerogative playing with the destiny of a human being. Even God does not tamper with free will.
...
Be what you are. And if you do not yet know what you are, wait until you do. Do not let someone else make that decision for you.
...
Remember, Manolo...in the end it is all between you and God."
June 6, 2011
Learned a lot about bull fighting but it reads a little like a textbook in the first half in that you have to keep flipping to the glossary at the back for an explanation of italicized terms. Throughout the book the author glorified the artistry of bull fighting without addressing the downside.
"...when bullfighting began to develop in Spain, it was a pastime for the noblemen only. Through careful breeding, the bulls developed their extraordinary bravery which is completely lacking in all species of bulls except those raised on our peninsula. As the bravery was bred into them, cowardice and tameness were bred out. And today there is as much resemblance between a brave bull and an ordinary bull as there is between a wolf and a lap dog."
"Don't expect it to be an even contest. The bull must die. Only sometimes, very rarely, does the bull not die. If he lives after he enters the arena, it is for one of two reasons: either he has been too cowardly and, disgraced, will meet his death outside of the ring, or he has been so brave that both the bullfighter and the public wish to spare him to perpetuate that extraordinary bravery in his descendants."
"Don't waste your pity on the bull. He will fight for his life, and he will die in battle. And that's how he'd choose his death if he had a chance to choose: in hot blood and not in the miserable slaughterhouse where he can't fight back. And don't pity the horses. It's a necessary and ugly evil. The bull must hit something solid or he will not go for the lure of the muleta. And he must be weakened to lower his head. that's what the horse and the picador are for."
"The sun is hot most of the year. It scorches the people and it scorches the earth for five months, from May to September. The sun is the joy and the sorrow of the people. It destroys their crops while it warms them with the heat they could not live without. And when the rains come, they are either a curse or a blessing. Sometimes the river floods, and the people lose their animals, their crops, and even their houses."
"...the tragedy is not that some people are blood-thirsty. The tragedy is that boys like him know of nothing else they want to do. I've grown old looking at wasted lives."
"How could it be...that this boy would happily die to do something he himself would rather die than do?"
"...when bullfighting began to develop in Spain, it was a pastime for the noblemen only. Through careful breeding, the bulls developed their extraordinary bravery which is completely lacking in all species of bulls except those raised on our peninsula. As the bravery was bred into them, cowardice and tameness were bred out. And today there is as much resemblance between a brave bull and an ordinary bull as there is between a wolf and a lap dog."
"Don't expect it to be an even contest. The bull must die. Only sometimes, very rarely, does the bull not die. If he lives after he enters the arena, it is for one of two reasons: either he has been too cowardly and, disgraced, will meet his death outside of the ring, or he has been so brave that both the bullfighter and the public wish to spare him to perpetuate that extraordinary bravery in his descendants."
"Don't waste your pity on the bull. He will fight for his life, and he will die in battle. And that's how he'd choose his death if he had a chance to choose: in hot blood and not in the miserable slaughterhouse where he can't fight back. And don't pity the horses. It's a necessary and ugly evil. The bull must hit something solid or he will not go for the lure of the muleta. And he must be weakened to lower his head. that's what the horse and the picador are for."
"The sun is hot most of the year. It scorches the people and it scorches the earth for five months, from May to September. The sun is the joy and the sorrow of the people. It destroys their crops while it warms them with the heat they could not live without. And when the rains come, they are either a curse or a blessing. Sometimes the river floods, and the people lose their animals, their crops, and even their houses."
"...the tragedy is not that some people are blood-thirsty. The tragedy is that boys like him know of nothing else they want to do. I've grown old looking at wasted lives."
"How could it be...that this boy would happily die to do something he himself would rather die than do?"
October 30, 2015
This woman with the most Polish name I have ever known submerges us completely into the masculine culture of Spain and the “toreo,” the art of bullfighting.
Maia Wojciechowska also makes us feel the emotional suffering that Manolo, the young hero of the story, felt more each year until he was eleven because he believed he was a coward, and not worthy to be his dead father’s son. Manolo did not have “aficion” for bullfighting as his heroic father had, and the author made me grieve and worry for this extremely likable young boy until the very end of the book.
The Shadow of a Bull made me glad that I am reading all the Newberys (that I can find), because it is a book I would never have picked up to read had it been written when I was young, and would have held no interest for me had I seen it as a mother or a teacher in the 1980’s. I would have been wrong to pass it up. Shadow has many cultural and life lessons for young readers; late elementary and middle school students would benefit most, I think. Bulls do not die prettily, and there is not need for young readers to know that reality.
The characters are quietly strong, from Manolo, to his mother, to enthusiastic and sweet young Juan Garcia—who does have great passion, or aficion, for toreo—through the very believable and also quietly heroic doctor.
I doubt that Shadow of a Bull would win the Newbery in the this century, but I am glad it did towards the end of the 20th. The book deserves to be appreciated by many, even those who will never see a bullfight.
Maia Wojciechowska also makes us feel the emotional suffering that Manolo, the young hero of the story, felt more each year until he was eleven because he believed he was a coward, and not worthy to be his dead father’s son. Manolo did not have “aficion” for bullfighting as his heroic father had, and the author made me grieve and worry for this extremely likable young boy until the very end of the book.
The Shadow of a Bull made me glad that I am reading all the Newberys (that I can find), because it is a book I would never have picked up to read had it been written when I was young, and would have held no interest for me had I seen it as a mother or a teacher in the 1980’s. I would have been wrong to pass it up. Shadow has many cultural and life lessons for young readers; late elementary and middle school students would benefit most, I think. Bulls do not die prettily, and there is not need for young readers to know that reality.
The characters are quietly strong, from Manolo, to his mother, to enthusiastic and sweet young Juan Garcia—who does have great passion, or aficion, for toreo—through the very believable and also quietly heroic doctor.
I doubt that Shadow of a Bull would win the Newbery in the this century, but I am glad it did towards the end of the 20th. The book deserves to be appreciated by many, even those who will never see a bullfight.
September 10, 2009
Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska takes place in the province of Andalusia, southern Spain, which is characterized by "majestic mountains, lacey olive groves, the round symmetry of the bullrings, and the pointed church steeples. Manolo Oliver is the son of the greatest matador in Spain, Juan Oliver, who was killed by a bull and is expected to someday follow in his fathers footsteps but there is one problem. Manolo does not want to be a bullfighter and is afraid of bulls. Unfortunately for Manolo at the age of 12 he has to fight his first bull. The story leads up to the climax of the final bullfight and the courage and bravery it takes for him to get there.
In this book Manolo is expected to be just like his father and follow in his footsteps. In my life I am expected to do a lot of things my parents have done but I am still working on them. Manolo also faced his fear of fighting a bull at the age of 12 and I faced my fear of heights when I was 12 too.
I really liked reading Shadow of a Bull because the reader got to see how Manolo built up his courage and fear to fight the bull. By the end of the book Manolo became a man and it was amazing to see the transition from the beginning to end. I realized that anything is possible and when someone tells you they can’t do something it really means they don’t want to. This was an eye-opening book and I really took pleasure reading it.
In this book Manolo is expected to be just like his father and follow in his footsteps. In my life I am expected to do a lot of things my parents have done but I am still working on them. Manolo also faced his fear of fighting a bull at the age of 12 and I faced my fear of heights when I was 12 too.
I really liked reading Shadow of a Bull because the reader got to see how Manolo built up his courage and fear to fight the bull. By the end of the book Manolo became a man and it was amazing to see the transition from the beginning to end. I realized that anything is possible and when someone tells you they can’t do something it really means they don’t want to. This was an eye-opening book and I really took pleasure reading it.
March 2, 2017
Upon reflection, I decided to bump this up to 4 stars.
Overall it was an interesting book because it showed the life of a bullfighter.
You can tell that Wojciechowska knows all there is to know on bullfighting and she incorporates it into the story very well. With the added glossary I never felt lost or confused and ended up learning a lot of how the practice of bullfighting works.
The story focuses on a young boy who's father was a incredibly famous bullfighter in his town. He was so popular that the town is basically dedicated to him even after his death. When Manolo was just 3, his father ended up dying leaving behind an incredible legacy that the town reminisced. They reminisced so much that everywhere Manolo went people would look at him and think, "Juan's son", "Juan's shadow". Since he was young Manolo was told that he was going to be a bullfighter just like his father. However, Manolo is terrified of this prospect.
It's a really good book that shows the pros and cons of putting expectations on children. The pros being and child pushes him/her-self but the con is that that the child does so out of fear of disappointment. Manolo really struggles with accepting his role as shadow to a father he never knew. He desperately wants to hold some connection to his father and bullfighting is the only way possible. What's sad is how clearly this book illustrates the thoughts that go through a child's head when his society starts having expectations from him.
Manolo isn't happy but he doesn't know what else to do.
I really liked Manolo and was surprisingly able to connect a little with him. Although all ends well, he is a simple example of the devastating mental hell kids will put themselves through without telling anyone. You may be surprised at how much your kid takes your expectations to heart which I think is what this book is trying to teach both parents and kids.
It's purpose was to encourage kids to stand up for what you want and to show parents what goes on in a kid's mind when you begin to expect to much from him/her.
The only criticisms I had was that:
1. The time period. It didn't seem at all to be based in 2015-17 as I'm pretty sure no one would allow a 10/11 year old to play the sport, even a safer version may not be allowed. Yet there were cars in this book so...????
2. Manolo's mother. At times she would be worried for him only to suddenly change and be proud that her son is a bullfighter. I don't really think any mom would be proud of that, but what do I know. However, during a scene when she talks about Juan, she becomes very melancholy and upset with the whole sport so I didn't know if she truly supported the town making her son into her husband's shadow or if she forced herself to be proud because she thought this was what her son wanted.
Overall a good quick read. Would recommend to anyone really, especially parents.
Overall it was an interesting book because it showed the life of a bullfighter.
You can tell that Wojciechowska knows all there is to know on bullfighting and she incorporates it into the story very well. With the added glossary I never felt lost or confused and ended up learning a lot of how the practice of bullfighting works.
The story focuses on a young boy who's father was a incredibly famous bullfighter in his town. He was so popular that the town is basically dedicated to him even after his death. When Manolo was just 3, his father ended up dying leaving behind an incredible legacy that the town reminisced. They reminisced so much that everywhere Manolo went people would look at him and think, "Juan's son", "Juan's shadow". Since he was young Manolo was told that he was going to be a bullfighter just like his father. However, Manolo is terrified of this prospect.
It's a really good book that shows the pros and cons of putting expectations on children. The pros being and child pushes him/her-self but the con is that that the child does so out of fear of disappointment. Manolo really struggles with accepting his role as shadow to a father he never knew. He desperately wants to hold some connection to his father and bullfighting is the only way possible. What's sad is how clearly this book illustrates the thoughts that go through a child's head when his society starts having expectations from him.
Manolo isn't happy but he doesn't know what else to do.
I really liked Manolo and was surprisingly able to connect a little with him. Although all ends well, he is a simple example of the devastating mental hell kids will put themselves through without telling anyone. You may be surprised at how much your kid takes your expectations to heart which I think is what this book is trying to teach both parents and kids.
It's purpose was to encourage kids to stand up for what you want and to show parents what goes on in a kid's mind when you begin to expect to much from him/her.
The only criticisms I had was that:
1. The time period. It didn't seem at all to be based in 2015-17 as I'm pretty sure no one would allow a 10/11 year old to play the sport, even a safer version may not be allowed. Yet there were cars in this book so...????
2. Manolo's mother. At times she would be worried for him only to suddenly change and be proud that her son is a bullfighter. I don't really think any mom would be proud of that, but what do I know. However, during a scene when she talks about Juan, she becomes very melancholy and upset with the whole sport so I didn't know if she truly supported the town making her son into her husband's shadow or if she forced herself to be proud because she thought this was what her son wanted.
Overall a good quick read. Would recommend to anyone really, especially parents.
July 24, 2009
A book about bullfighting seems like the last book I would want to read, but Shadow of a Bull is not just a book about bullfighting. Shadow of a Bull is a rich book about the trials of being the son of a hero, a book about the struggles of a boy trying to find his own way in a world that is attempting to force him to take a path the boy does not want to take. Manolo is the son of a magnificent bullfighter. When Manolo's father is killed in the ring, the people look to Manolo to become the man his father was. Manolo does not want to be a bullfighter. But he does not want to disappoint his mother and his father's friends and all the people of his town. He is afraid, paradoxically, of both the bull and of being a coward. He can find no way out.
The author is somehow able to share with the reader the beauty and the horror of bullfighting. I was surprised to find that I could see bullfighting in a new way, as an art, as a heroic act, though I continue to feel revulsion as well.
The author is somehow able to share with the reader the beauty and the horror of bullfighting. I was surprised to find that I could see bullfighting in a new way, as an art, as a heroic act, though I continue to feel revulsion as well.
December 13, 2020
This is a wonderful story about bullfighting. Though it is not a sport I would ever want to attend, bullfighting is an integral part of the culture in Spain. The book won the Newbery Medal in 1965.
Monolo Oliver is the son of the greatest bullfighter in all of Spain, who lost his life in the ring. It is expected that Monolo will repeat his father's success but the boy definitely does not feel any urge to fight bulls.
Still he tries to find his courage. Some of his father's friends teach him the sport and the day comes when he must face his first bull.
In a vibrant coming of age tale, Manolo figures out how to deal with the pressure and find his own way in the world. Wonderful writing and plot. Lots of info on bullfighting, including a glossary. Immersion into the culture surrounding the sport.
Monolo Oliver is the son of the greatest bullfighter in all of Spain, who lost his life in the ring. It is expected that Monolo will repeat his father's success but the boy definitely does not feel any urge to fight bulls.
Still he tries to find his courage. Some of his father's friends teach him the sport and the day comes when he must face his first bull.
In a vibrant coming of age tale, Manolo figures out how to deal with the pressure and find his own way in the world. Wonderful writing and plot. Lots of info on bullfighting, including a glossary. Immersion into the culture surrounding the sport.
May 23, 2013
My opinion about the story was good because it has a lot of surprises and it was also very entertaining.
What I have learned in this story is that you can't live up with expectations of other people.
You have to know what you want in your life and do the best you can in order for you to fulfil your dreams
and ambitions in life however knowing what you want is not easy you need to have a strong determination to be successful. In order for you to be successful you have to give it a try to do something like Manolo did however he realized that being a bullfighter, even though he tried but it wasn’t his ambition in life. Overall the story tells us to be who you are.
What I have learned in this story is that you can't live up with expectations of other people.
You have to know what you want in your life and do the best you can in order for you to fulfil your dreams
and ambitions in life however knowing what you want is not easy you need to have a strong determination to be successful. In order for you to be successful you have to give it a try to do something like Manolo did however he realized that being a bullfighter, even though he tried but it wasn’t his ambition in life. Overall the story tells us to be who you are.
July 11, 2012
I read this book when I was younger and loved it. The main point of the book was that there was a boy who was expected to follow in his father's footsteps as a bullfighter but he's afraid of bulls and doesn't want to fight them. This book is a great way to show kids that they don't have to do what others expect of them to do and that they should always do what their heart tells them to do. This book also gave a lot of Spanish culture which will introduce kids to other cultures which they may not be aware of. It had a lot of suspense throughout the book which all lead up to the events at end of the book.
March 7, 2013
I would recommend this book to someone that was interested in heritage of spanish bullfighting. It was very moving about a boy and his fathers death and the love they had. A male audience young and old would like this book. The title is appropriate but can be misleading in a way that you may think that the main character may be a bull. I felt sorrow for the main character to find strength because he had to struggle between what he felt in his heart and what his family felt was right for him. I felt it was a book I might have read before except a different sport took place. A bond between a father and son that has happiness and tradgedy early in the story.
April 19, 2016
Only three discs long on audio book. So very, very good. It's recommended for 10 and older. I'm not sure if it is because it describes a bull fight and that might be considered too intense for younger readers/listeners or if because some of the subtleties of the story might be lost on younger kids. In either case, it is an excellent book, well deserving of the Newbery. I highly recommend this one.
August 3, 2012
Fantastic! This is another book about a boy who fears he is a great coward and rises above his fears. I think I loved this book even more that others in this genre because he didn't do what I expected and I think what he did do showed even more courage.
"You cannot confuse bravery and courage with lack of fear. Real courage, true bravery, is doing things in spite of fear, knowing fear."
"You cannot confuse bravery and courage with lack of fear. Real courage, true bravery, is doing things in spite of fear, knowing fear."
April 27, 2010
This is the second time I have read this book. It is about the concept of bravery and staying true to ourselves. We can't and shouldn't try to live up to others' expectations of us. It helps us understand what it means to be truly brave - if you are not afraid are you still brave?
September 3, 2018
I really loathe bullfighting and only chose to read this book because it won the Newbery. I liked Manolo, but I didn't find great parts of the book very engaging. So much of the book was like a textbook on bullfighting. The parts that didn't deal directly with that were the only parts I liked.
November 9, 2021
It's been quite a while since I tackled something on my perpetual Newbery challenge list, so I pulled this out & got to it. It was an interesting coming-of-age story about a young man facing his fears & deciding the course of his life. I also learned tons about bull-fighting & their jargon.
April 19, 2020
Done. It turns out that it is a beautiful book. And I can see where the honor comes in. And, interestingly, the book is non-judgmental & unbiased, but the boy,
I found it especially interesting, too, that there was a glossary, but only of bullfighting terms that had come up in the story. Other Spanish words were not translated, and a few were even indecipherable from context.
I wonder how many children learned from this what bullfighting really means to the communities that practice(d) it? I know that when I was younger a lot of us were curious.
More in the discussion here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I found it especially interesting, too, that there was a glossary, but only of bullfighting terms that had come up in the story. Other Spanish words were not translated, and a few were even indecipherable from context.
I wonder how many children learned from this what bullfighting really means to the communities that practice(d) it? I know that when I was younger a lot of us were curious.
More in the discussion here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
August 18, 2020
5 stars. This bildungsroman is compactly and beautifully written. Manolo is 9 yrs old when the book begins with the statement that he knows 3 things: that he looks like his famous bullfighter father, that he is expected to follow in his father's footsteps and become a bullfighter, and that he's a coward. The book ends when he's not quite 12 and facing his first bull in the ring just like his father did at age 12. Andalusian bullfighting is the books's setting but the topic is courage and finding oneself. I do not condone bullfighting, but this book would be so much less if it didn't describe it and if Manolo, for example, was merely was following his father say into the military. I read this for my 2020 Reading Challenge (Book Bingo "in a land far away" - Spain) and my Newbery Challenge (Award 1965).
March 14, 2021
I enjoyed this lil’ Newberry-winning bildungsroman about a young boy named Manolo, a worrier of sorts, who is expected to fill the shoes of his famous muleta-wielding father, Juan Olivar. This well-written window into bullfighting not only covers Spanish culture, but also the fear, grief, and anxiety that comes with trying to live up to the oft-lofty expectations of others, both living and deceased. I can totally relate to Manolo’s fear of disappointing everyone, as I suffer from that as well.
Hey kid, you’re almost twelve, so its time you not only become a man, but fight and kill this bull. We know your dad, the famous torero, was gored and eventually died of infection from the wound, but put all of that in the back of your mind and get on out there — don’t worry, you’ve got it in your blood! And if it is your blood, not that of the bull, which happens to be spilled, well, you’re in good company! ¡Olé!
Also, there was a Quixote reference - so maybe I did get something out of that marathon reading adventure.
Hey kid, you’re almost twelve, so its time you not only become a man, but fight and kill this bull. We know your dad, the famous torero, was gored and eventually died of infection from the wound, but put all of that in the back of your mind and get on out there — don’t worry, you’ve got it in your blood! And if it is your blood, not that of the bull, which happens to be spilled, well, you’re in good company! ¡Olé!
Also, there was a Quixote reference - so maybe I did get something out of that marathon reading adventure.
December 3, 2023
I remember reading this one to my three sons many years ago. It struck me just as poignantly these decades later! Highly recommended! Can't imagine young readers wouldn't be enthralled. I also appreciate the rather detailed description of the bull enduring the torturous pain of being killed slowly while bleeding out... People should understand the animal's perspective as well, then they can make an informed decision regarding their own participation or lack thereof...
March 26, 2015
Andrew Zerby
Form I (Orange)
Core Reading
3-25-15
In Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska, the author’s main message is that a person does not have to be what everyone else expects them to be. The reader comes to understand about human nature is that it is hard for a person to resist being what everybody expects them to be. This book take place in the small town of Arcangel(I dont know if it exists even though i looked on the internet) in Andalucia, Spain. The main character is Manolo Olivar, a boy who grows from 8 to eleven years old throughout the book, and the story is told in the perspective of third person limited focused on Manolo. Manolo is the son of the town’s best bullfighter, Juan Olivar, who was gored by a bull and died when Manolo was only three years-old. The special thing about his father was that when he was born, a very old gypsy prophesied that he would be the best bullfighter ever seen, and when he was twelve he took on his first bull which he killed with grace and skill. Juan Olivar fulfilled that prophecy and became Arcangel’s most famous and best bullfighter. But the difference between Manolo and his father is that he did not have a prophecy from a gypsy. He is expected to resurrect his father’s glory by doing the same thing his father did, fight his first bull when he was twelve. Manolo hangs out with kids who do Parkoure and ride bikes. But the problem is that Manolo’s biggest secret is that deep down he is afraid of the bull, and he is a coward(He doesn’t even have the courage to ride a bike!). Being a coward is something that his father could not afford to do, so will Manolo be able to relive his father’s glory, or will he fail and disappoint everybody?
Personally, I think that this book was a waste of time. The author did get across her message, which is an important one, but i think that there are better books out there to spend your time reading to get the same message. What bugs me the most is that they gave this book a newbery medal, and Manolo’s mom is one of the most misogynistic characters I have ever seen. First of all, manolo’s mom is the one taking care of him, and is just mentioned throughout the book, as if the person taking care of the main character is not that important. Also, the worst part is that the author doesn’t even develop the mom’s character when there should be some diversity in main and secondary characters. All of the characters I see are men, men, men, and the only time his mom talks a lot or even gets a chance to speak for more than a paragraph is to praise the father,”Your father was a noble man. A man of honor. A man of pride”(126). This suggests that women are in this world only to praise the men who are brave in the world, which is DEFINITELY not the case. Also, this book glorifies the inhumane treatment of animals. It repeatedly declares that bullfighting is an art, but if you break it down, its basically just breeding animals specifically for the moment when they torture it and kill it slowly in front of people for their entertainment. The book glorifies the torturing of animals, and they say in the book, that this town is very poor. So, I bet you if they took all the time and money that they put into bullfighting, they would be able to feed all of the poor people in that town for maybe years on end. This shows that the book glorifies the extravagant and useless wastes of money and time on inhumane treatment of animals, which are not things that I necessarily agree with. The only thing i have come to learn from this book is that, you should follow your dreams and do not have to be what everyone else expects of you(However, this is hypocritical because of the author’s misogynistic portrayal of characters). It shows an important aspect of human behavior, which is that it takes a lot of strength and courage to show people who you really are when you are expected to be something else. For example, I watched a CNN film about the world of atheists. they interviewed a pastor, whom CNN had to protect his identity, because he hadn’t come out as an atheist yet to his congregation. He said that it will be really hard and take a lot of emotional strength to come out as an atheist when he does. This is because he wants to be a person that he is not expected to be. Since this is human nature, and also applies with Manolo. Besides that aspect of human nature, i learned almost nothing else important because the description of the technique of bullfighting is not very in depth. I have to keep in mind though, that this book was published in the 1960s, so the views and perspectives on certain issues like gender equality and animal rights could be a bit outdated, and not fit for the modern day reader a half-century later. One of the strengths of this book was the the format of the dialogue, which made the reader feel as if you were a famous person walking through the busy street, and kind of puts you in the perspective of Manolo. This allows the reader to connect with the main character on a deeper level. Other than that, this book, in my opinion, was a waste of time, so you should go read a different book that has the same message, but is told in a better story. I would never recommend this book to a friend, because I would not want to take away their reading time that could be used reading an infinitesimally better book.
Form I (Orange)
Core Reading
3-25-15
In Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska, the author’s main message is that a person does not have to be what everyone else expects them to be. The reader comes to understand about human nature is that it is hard for a person to resist being what everybody expects them to be. This book take place in the small town of Arcangel(I dont know if it exists even though i looked on the internet) in Andalucia, Spain. The main character is Manolo Olivar, a boy who grows from 8 to eleven years old throughout the book, and the story is told in the perspective of third person limited focused on Manolo. Manolo is the son of the town’s best bullfighter, Juan Olivar, who was gored by a bull and died when Manolo was only three years-old. The special thing about his father was that when he was born, a very old gypsy prophesied that he would be the best bullfighter ever seen, and when he was twelve he took on his first bull which he killed with grace and skill. Juan Olivar fulfilled that prophecy and became Arcangel’s most famous and best bullfighter. But the difference between Manolo and his father is that he did not have a prophecy from a gypsy. He is expected to resurrect his father’s glory by doing the same thing his father did, fight his first bull when he was twelve. Manolo hangs out with kids who do Parkoure and ride bikes. But the problem is that Manolo’s biggest secret is that deep down he is afraid of the bull, and he is a coward(He doesn’t even have the courage to ride a bike!). Being a coward is something that his father could not afford to do, so will Manolo be able to relive his father’s glory, or will he fail and disappoint everybody?
Personally, I think that this book was a waste of time. The author did get across her message, which is an important one, but i think that there are better books out there to spend your time reading to get the same message. What bugs me the most is that they gave this book a newbery medal, and Manolo’s mom is one of the most misogynistic characters I have ever seen. First of all, manolo’s mom is the one taking care of him, and is just mentioned throughout the book, as if the person taking care of the main character is not that important. Also, the worst part is that the author doesn’t even develop the mom’s character when there should be some diversity in main and secondary characters. All of the characters I see are men, men, men, and the only time his mom talks a lot or even gets a chance to speak for more than a paragraph is to praise the father,”Your father was a noble man. A man of honor. A man of pride”(126). This suggests that women are in this world only to praise the men who are brave in the world, which is DEFINITELY not the case. Also, this book glorifies the inhumane treatment of animals. It repeatedly declares that bullfighting is an art, but if you break it down, its basically just breeding animals specifically for the moment when they torture it and kill it slowly in front of people for their entertainment. The book glorifies the torturing of animals, and they say in the book, that this town is very poor. So, I bet you if they took all the time and money that they put into bullfighting, they would be able to feed all of the poor people in that town for maybe years on end. This shows that the book glorifies the extravagant and useless wastes of money and time on inhumane treatment of animals, which are not things that I necessarily agree with. The only thing i have come to learn from this book is that, you should follow your dreams and do not have to be what everyone else expects of you(However, this is hypocritical because of the author’s misogynistic portrayal of characters). It shows an important aspect of human behavior, which is that it takes a lot of strength and courage to show people who you really are when you are expected to be something else. For example, I watched a CNN film about the world of atheists. they interviewed a pastor, whom CNN had to protect his identity, because he hadn’t come out as an atheist yet to his congregation. He said that it will be really hard and take a lot of emotional strength to come out as an atheist when he does. This is because he wants to be a person that he is not expected to be. Since this is human nature, and also applies with Manolo. Besides that aspect of human nature, i learned almost nothing else important because the description of the technique of bullfighting is not very in depth. I have to keep in mind though, that this book was published in the 1960s, so the views and perspectives on certain issues like gender equality and animal rights could be a bit outdated, and not fit for the modern day reader a half-century later. One of the strengths of this book was the the format of the dialogue, which made the reader feel as if you were a famous person walking through the busy street, and kind of puts you in the perspective of Manolo. This allows the reader to connect with the main character on a deeper level. Other than that, this book, in my opinion, was a waste of time, so you should go read a different book that has the same message, but is told in a better story. I would never recommend this book to a friend, because I would not want to take away their reading time that could be used reading an infinitesimally better book.
November 15, 2020
This author did a good job of describing the main character's fears: of bulls, bull fighting, moving forward, not living up to expectations, growing up, making decisions, disappointing people....so many fears.
July 16, 2020
This was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it!
March 16, 2022
This is a good book. You can learn a lot about bullfighting in Spain and it has
a good story.
a good story.
November 21, 2019
I found this book went by slow until I got to the end. I was worried that I wasn't going to like the ending a all but then the ending came to be what I liked.
October 23, 2017
Shadow Of A bull was a very interesting book. In the book it shows examples of honesty and other life principles. I recommend it to everyone
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