Rain of Gold

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and memorable. Wished it didn't end.
Review: This is a powerful book. It's the combination of Roots and Grapes of Wrath written on a Mexican Family. I actually wished the book was not written for the category non-fiction, because sometimes it felt as if Victor Villasenor was straining to keep the words right and correct, when it felt like the story was ready to take a magical-realism twist and take us into the deep realms of the imagination. Especially in the beginning of the book when Lupe's childhood is blooming.

The end focused a great deal on romance, but up until the end, I was enthralled. Took me away. Great for all reading levels, too. Should be read in public schools for Hispanic studies. It was a great reminder on how racist America can be, and it was a wonderful educational tool on Mexican History. Powerful work.

Rating:
Summary: Rain of Gold
Review: Villasenor is an excellent storyteller who totally involved me in the tale of his family. I feel as though I know his family, and feel a sense of loss as the book comes to an end. I have ordered another of his books to fill the void when I complete Rain of Gold.

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Summary: A book of, love, laughter, and little lessons of life...
Review: The first book i had read by Villasenor was Walking Stars, (because it wasn't too long)and my step mother had told me it was a very good book. I fell in love with the book instantly. When i had finished it i was lost in a sense because there were stories in the book i did not quite understand. I was told to read Rain of Gold, and without hesitation I did. I begain to read this book of wonders, and within 2 days i had read the entire book. I had tears, roars of laughter, and could relate to lupe in so many ways considering i too am hispanic and have parents who adore me, yet are strict and will give any man i am with the "20 questions". This past week i reread Rain of Gold in order to get a greater sense of the book and so i could relate some of the events in the story to my own grandmothers life. ive fallen in love with these characters over and over again and applaud Sr. Victor Villasenor on a job well done. Gracias :)

Rating:
Summary: Required Reading for CSUSB Class
Review: I have Mexican heritage as well, and found myself laughing and the "bad" Spanish words - they are so integral in Mexican culture! What Mexican kid has NOT been called a "pendéjo/a?" Also was engrossed by the love story of Juan and Lupe - great! It was like Ramona and Alessandro (in "Ramona" by Helen Hunt Jackson) only this story is TRUE! ¡Muchos gracias, Sr. Villaseñor!

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Summary: Ties to this family saga
Review: Fabulous reading! I was given the book as a gift one Christmas. When I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I could relate to the story line since my father also worked the gold mines. The setting is Carlsbad, CA., and I have relatives who live in Oceanside. When I asked my elderly aunt if she knew the Villasenors, she said she goes to church with (Lupe) every sunday, and added other interesting facts about the family. This confirmed that the book is indeed a non-fiction, heart warming story of survival. My respects to Victor Villasenor for a well written, and dynamic novel.

Rating:
Summary: what a wonderful book!
Review: i absolutley love this book! i was not able to put this book down. Victor Villasenor has a beutiful and imaginative way of retelling his family history, i loved all the symbolizim and the imagery that is very common with chicano literature, he did a wonderful job in writing this book, i highly recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read! All CA High Schools should read it.
Review: This book had me sucked in right from the beginning. The people in the book became so real to me. I felt as if I knew them and was so drawn into their lives. It is a long book, but it went too fast. I wanted it to go on at the end. Beautiful story. I learned so much about the people who had to leave their homes and move to the U.S. when their country was in chaos. CA High School students should have this on their reading lists.

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Summary: Superior reading about the lives and times of real Mexicans.
Review: This is an outstanding book for those whose interest in Mexico, and the events that triggered the Mexican migration into the U.S.Southwest has been limited to the typical U.S.textbook version. It is a compelling and moving story about real people that have suffered 150 years or more of brutal treatment and discrimination. Bravo! Read it con gusto! Well written, it is worth every minute of it. It is a long book, an earthy tale, but an absorbing story. An emotional roller coaster, it ends with a wonderful positive message of hope!

Rating:
Summary: A book anyone will enjoy
Review: It would be a mistake to believe that only those of Mexican descent can appreciate Victor Villasenor's captivating tale of the trials and triumphs of his family in Mexico and America. Although this thoroughly engaging book no doubt has a particular resonance for those who share the author's ethnic background, any reader will enjoy sharing the struggle first for survival and then for success of the vividly painted characters that inhabit Rain of Gold. Villasenor easily combines fascinating and accurate historical details with his engrossing tale of one family's cultural, spiritual, and geographic journey. Even a lifelong New England resident (recently transplanted to Texas) with no known Latin roots felt like part of the Villasenor family after reading this book.

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Summary: A bottle of tequila and this book are the perfect gift...
Review: A cousin gave me the book rather then let me go another day without reading it. I was sucked in from the first few pages and didn't let go of me until the ending. I cried not only from the story, but from how much I wanted to hear what happens next. When he handed me the book he said, "Make sure you have some tequila as you are reading it since you will never appreciate it more then as you read the book."

All the books of "Literature" I had read up to that point had been about James, and Scott, and Sally. This was the first book that introduced me to characters named Juan, Maria and people I had met (figuratively) in my own life. Villasenor was the first writer to present to me people that I knew and was familiar with from my day to day life growing up in East L.A.