Donna M. Gershten

A story about being a woman in Mexico and what that means. A story about the old ways, the men, their needs, sex, cultural expectations, of finding oneself in spite of and because of this.

Magda has seen poverty and riches and had learned and loved and lost. So much she wants her daughter to know, to experience, to really understand.

I enjoyed the feel of it, but at times it seemed to drag. I was anxious for more action. Some of the years of Magda's life were narrated in one sentence, others had chapters devoted to them. I would have liked the focus to be somewhat different to illuminate some parts of her life that I feel are still in the dark.

I learned, though. Much to think about.… (mehr)

Another Barbara Kingsolver Bellwether Award book. I think this may have been the first to receive the award. If I had more knowledge of the Spanish language, I feel rather confident that this would have been a four star selection. I really liked the story and the way the author used both dialogue and reflections to tell the life story of Guadalupe Magdalena Molina Vasquez. But there were so many Spanish words and phrases, that even with context, I sometimes had trouble with the content. I think I also missed some of the "lyrical beauty" (to quote Kingsolver).

Even with the language barrier, I appreciated the struggles of Magda, growing up in a poor Mexican barrio and questioning the cultural roles of women, men, religion, love, sex, and family. Magda's life decisions reflect her struggles with these roles as she both challenges and embraces them. The author's power of description allowed me to experience the heat of the Mexican sun and the pain of pilrims who walked on their knees over rough cobblestones to the shrine of the baby Jesus.

Don't let three stars stop you from trying this novel.

… (mehr)