Running with the Bulls: Fiestas, Corridas, Toreros, and An American's Adventure in Pamplona

by Gary Gray

Release Date: 01 November, 2001

Edition: Hardcover

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A Personal Memoir of Pamplona

The really interesting thing about reading Gary Gray's very personal memoir of his travels to Spain and his times in Pamplona's Fiesta is this: The experiences he shares which may seem so unique to the reader are experiences available to anyone who makes the journey to Pamplona each July, and Gray makes this point for the reader. He let's the reader know that in this very foreign culture with it's own age-old customs, traditions, rites and rituals an American can not only be easily accepted - -he or she can be embraced, indeed adopted by local Navarrans as Gray was by people who have become part of his family.

When this book was published, it had been over thirty years since an American had published a book on Pamplona, and if there was one central point to make above all others, it is the point made that is referenced in the preceeding paragraph, i.e. this fiesta which seems so foreign from afar can seem very familiar up close.

This is a personal story, an up close look through the eyes of one person and what the reader is able to see is well worth seeing.

A Personal Journey Through Pamplona and it's Fiesta

Gary Gray paints a picture of what it is like to partake in Pamplona's Fiesta De San Fermin. From the moment the rocket goes off during the encierro, to the afternoon corrida, Gary manages to share his love for fiesta and especially the people who make fiesta so great. If you have been or are thinking of going to Pamplona, you should read this book. It is a great learning tool to acclimate yourself to Pamplona and fiesta. Gary also gives you an insight to some of the moments during fiesta when you need a break and shows you more of Pamplona and Navarra.