Few authors have written about Latino culture as beautifully as Victor Villasenor. And Rain of Gold is possibly his finest work -- a sweeping tableau of family ties and cultural traditions.
A pair of strong families, two proud but embattled lineages, find themselves bound together by time and circumstance. Through political upheavals, loves gained and lives lost, the families struggle to keep what is precious to them. This premise would make a mesmerizing novel -- but this story is all true.
"A great love story...magnificent." (Albuquerque Journal)
Anonymous
Posted Thu May 06 00:00:00 EDT 2010
RAIN OF GOLD tells the parallel stories of Lupe and Juan Salvador-the author's parents-beginning in 1911 when they are children living in separate places in Revolution-torn Mexico, and how it comes to be that their respective families journey north to seek fortune and prosperity in the land of opportunity that is California. These are family stories of Salvador's days as a maker and seller of bootleg whiskey and these are, of course, tales of good Mexican people's struggles to overcome the prejudice and exploitation that they face at every turn. Some of the stories here seem more the stuff of fantasy than of family history, but are still enjoyable. Salvador and Lupe meet and fall in love, and RAIN OF GOLD concludes with their marriage in 1929.
This is a book made up of a whole series of folksy tales and anecdotal humor. These are stories told by a man who is a natural storyteller; one who clearly admires and loves his family and his people and who writes with great passion. The writing is sometimes repetitious, but still entertaining. I enjoyed it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Feb 16 00:00:00 EST 2003
Growing up as a Mexican-American in the United States often leads many of us to question our identity, our roots, and our heritage. "Rain of Gold" not only provides the historical experience of our people, it also embodies their resilient spirit and their love of life. The Mexican values of religion, family, and love are all well depicted and are brought to life by characters that in one way or another represent every Mexican person who came to the United States. This book is truly a reflection of our people--A people who bled, died,lost their faith, and rose again with their heads held high and the knowledge that a new horizon would soon come. If you are Mexican-American, you do not fully understand yourself until you have read this book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DesireEI
Posted Fri Jun 04 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I Also Recommend:
I finally found a book that relates in so many ways to my culture and the strugles that my own family has endured. As I was reading this book all the stories seemed as if they were happening to my own family. I guess it's because so many of my ancestors have similar stories to where we came from and how to appreciete God and Mother Earth with all it's living plants and animals. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has survived any struggles or is in touch with the Lord and earth itself. I want to thank the author for having taken the time to write this powerful inspiring true story. Gracias, Eva.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Sep 19 00:00:00 EDT 2009
Great reading
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 2008
This book made brought me many emotions.its just so powerful to the soul ,and maybe that was the intention.i cried,and laughed while reading this book.i felt like i knew lupe and jaun[salvador] so well.i recommend this book for anyone in search of a heart warming adventureous book!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2006
This book is definitely hard to put down. It depicts in so much description the difficult lives of Mexican immigrants to the United States and all that they faced. Victor Villaseñor is a GIFTED writer who can describe an event with such vivid imagery that you feel as if you are there. This book is a true gift to American history, as Villaseñor tells the story from the point of view that is left out of our history books. If you want a love story that makes your heart pound and a story of struggle and triumph, this is a definite must.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Mar 10 00:00:00 EST 2005
One of the first books I read by Victor Villasenor and went on to read the others. I cried, laughed, and cheered as I read through the pages of the lives in his stories. A bit lenghty but the pages slip through your fingers as the story unfolds. It is so easy to read and lose yourself in the lives of the people. Great read. A must especially for the young Mexican - Americans. So that they may have an understanding and appreciation of the struggles their ancestors endured to come to this country. Struggles very much like those recorded in this novel.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Sep 12 00:00:00 EDT 2004
The book was excellent. This story belongs to every Latino whose Parents or Grandparents came to the U.S. from Mexico. The stories were told exactly as my Grandparents told it to me. Every thing in the book was what my Abuelitos went throught while living in Mexico and their journey to the States. It was as if I was reading about them. I could not put the book down! I would stay up all night and read and read and read. I laughted and I cried all throught the book. I had the pleasure of meeting Victor Villasenor and talking to him about my Grandparents and he signed the books I bought. One was for my sister and two were for friends and they all loved the book very very much and thanked me for giving them a truly special gift. I highly recommend this book for every Latino. We can identify with this story.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Mar 27 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I Also Recommend:
This book is a unique combination of memoir and textbook. There were times when I felt I was back in a sociology class. My grandchildren who attended a Spanish Immersion school would learn from it.
The most memorable line in the book was the mother telling her son that marriage was a journey and he should choose a woman he wanted to travel with for the rest of his life.
It paints a vivid picture prejudice, abject poverty and of strong women who survived with their families.
Anonymous
Posted Wed Nov 11 00:00:00 EST 2009
i really enjoyed this book but the length was too much. it was very inspiring and it made me thankful for everything i have, but the length really got to me.
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Posted Sun Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2008
this book was amazing for me. it had so many conflicts in which the protagonists had to solve on their own. the best part that i thought was so amazing and interesting was when lupe and juan salvador first met at the party. it was love at first site. i recommend reading this book to everyone, trust me once you start reading it you dont want to stop.
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Posted Thu Feb 14 00:00:00 EST 2008
This book is a must read in my list. I love it and I recommend it all the time.
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Posted Fri Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 2007
I wanted to like this book, and most of my book club did. But I found the writing stodgy and slow, especially when using the voice of Luce. I gave up about half way through, which is unusual for me. But I kept finding myself wondering why I was reading this book and not having fun. The topic was great and I would definitely have liked to get a better feeling for the courageous people who emigrated north from Mexico. I just couldn't get past the writing.
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Posted Wed Nov 08 00:00:00 EST 2006
When I am asked to recommend a good book this one is first on my list! My book club read it and every single person loved it, quite a feat within that group.
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Posted Fri Jan 13 00:00:00 EST 2006
Truely one of the best books I've ever read. You really feel like you know these characters and their families. Wonderfully written! Very Rich!!!
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Posted Sat Oct 08 00:00:00 EDT 2005
This book is one of the best books that i have ever read. I would recommend it to anyone. Me and my closest friends have all read it because one of our friends recommended it and were glad we did. This book will just make you be more greatful for what you have and it will also teach you to be more appreciative for what you have.
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Posted Thu Jul 14 00:00:00 EDT 2005
I picked this book up to read when I was a Junior in High School because it was a required reading assignment other than the history book we had to read. This book is very interesting and hilarious at the same time. I definately recommend this book. Victor Villasenor has done it again.
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Posted Sat Aug 13 00:00:00 EDT 2005
This book is so freakin' kool!!! I never even heard of Victor Villasenor until my English teacher recommended the book to me. I thank him any time I can. I love all his books. Of course, this is my favorite one. I love how he depicts the emotions, symbolism, and life as a Mexican in the U.S. The author really shows that fate had a lot to do with his parents getting together.
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Posted Wed Feb 02 00:00:00 EST 2005
As an avid reader, I always encourage others to read, but better yet to enjoy the wonderful experience of a story. And for me Rain of Gold has been that wonderful story, I was so involved with the characters because someone in our lives resembles them. I am so proud to say that I have been married for 10 years, and I have never seen my husband read a book! And when I introduced him to Rain of Gold, by reading to him at first, he took it upon himself to continue reading the book, now he reads it and is fascinated by the characters, whom he is able to relate to. He is now sharing the book with our girls and the three of them are now enjoying their wonderful story.
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Posted Thu Mar 24 00:00:00 EST 2005
I could say this is one of my favorite books from all times very had to put down. Victor really makes you feel like part of the family and leaves you thirsty for more. It has a little of everything, it's going to make you cry, laugh, smile and wish you were part of this great family. Felicidades Victor for a wonderful masterpiece and thank you for writting such a beautiful story. Gracias.
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Overview
Few authors have written about Latino culture as beautifully as Victor Villasenor. And Rain of Gold is possibly his finest work -- a sweeping tableau of family ties and cultural traditions.
A pair of strong families, two proud but embattled lineages, find themselves bound together by time and circumstance. Through political upheavals, loves gained and lives lost, the families struggle to keep what is precious to them. This...