One day something terrible happens and Teresita lies in a coma. Everyone believes she is dead. The doctors can do no more for her and a coffin is made. Imagine everyone’s surprise when she awakens! Now Teresita is more powerful than ever and has the gift of prophecy. Pilgrims flood Cabora and Teresita is worn out with all the healing. She begins to be a threat to the Diaz regime as well as the Catholic Church and insists on writing political commentary and demands the land back for the people who work it.
This is an amazing book and an equally amazing journey into a life before the revolution. Mr. Urrea is a fantastic storyteller who writes with conviction and amazing poetry. The language of the book is stunning, intense, and panoramic.
Teresita, Tomas, Huila, and the rest of the characters were so real to me I could see them. There is Aguirre, an engineer turned revolutionary, Buenaventura, the bastard son of Tomas who is hated as much as Teresita is loved, Loreto, Tomas' wife, Gabriela, his mistress, and other rich characters. Every character in this amazing book crackles with life and energy.
Two decades were spent researching and writing this novel that is based on old family stories about his aunt Teresita. His descriptions are vivid, colorful, and magical. The Sonoran desert, the ranch, the corrupt political officials, and the bandits and Rurales are all vividly portrayed. This is truly a book to be treasured and read over and over. It is simply remarkable.
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