Shadow of a Bull

Shadow of a Bull recount three years, from age nine to twelve, in the life of Manola Olivar, whose entire village expects him to duplicate the bull ring triumphs of his dead father.

"Written with sparseness, tension, and grace akin to the qualities of a skilled matador, the story of Manolo epitomizes all humanity's struggle for conquest of fear and knowledge of self. By the end, when he turns his back on his hard-won ability as a bullfighter to being the long preparation for a career in medicine, he has achieved courage and self-knowledge, but only after a bitter struggle."