‘Rain of Gold’
(Víctor Villaseñor)
8/10 (B)
Both joyful and heart-breaking, the author writes about his family’s incredible journey from revolutionary México (1910s) to the tight-knit agricultural communities of California (1920s). 'Rain of Gold' is an engrossing and culturally-rich study of the effects of the Mexican Revolution, bootlegging during the era of Prohibition, early migrant workers in California, and the unwavering spirituality that propels the “strongest” of us.
I enjoyed the story’s rich detail, strong main characters, cultural & historical significance, deep spirituality, and its reverence to the woman as the center of the home, but I also thought it was a bit loaded with overly expressive human emotions and the exaggerated ideals of an opinionated author.
*I first read this book in high school and it quickly became my favorite book for many years. This is my second read-through and - though my mind and knowledge has since grown - it was still a heartfelt and enjoyable read for me.
Both joyful and heart-breaking, the author writes about his family’s incredible journey from revolutionary México (1910s) to the tight-knit agricultural communities of California (1920s). 'Rain of Gold' is an engrossing and culturally-rich study of the effects of the Mexican Revolution, bootlegging during the era of Prohibition, early migrant workers in California, and the unwavering spirituality that propels the “strongest” of us.
I enjoyed the story’s rich detail, strong main characters, cultural & historical significance, deep spirituality, and its reverence to the woman as the center of the home, but I also thought it was a bit loaded with overly expressive human emotions and the exaggerated ideals of an opinionated author.
*I first read this book in high school and it quickly became my favorite book for many years. This is my second read-through and - though my mind and knowledge has since grown - it was still a heartfelt and enjoyable read for me.