Wild Steps of HeavenIt was a time of love and war, heroism and miracles - a time when men and women still danced up the wild steps of heaven, driven by magic and faith, enraptured by the joy of la vida. Against this spellbinding backdrop, the critically acclaimed author of Rain of Gold creates a powerful, moving portrait of his father's family - the Villasenors - who in their courage and love of life represent the whole passionate history of Mexico. In Wild Steps of Heaven, Victor Villasenor breathes life into his father's family, and in particular, the Villasenor women. Mothers and daughters, sisters and lovers - their faith transcends the madness that surrounds them, and their love is all-powerful, life-giving, and touched by the miraculous. Margarita is the indomitable Indian matriarch who guards her family and conquers her enemies with the cutting edge of unconditional love - and a touch of magic. As a young woman, she was swept away by Juan Jesus Villasenor, who carried the blood of Spanish royalty in his veins - and who, unarmed, once wrestled with the great serpent that held his village hostage...and won. Together, Don Juan and Dona Margarita would create a dynasty on the eve of the Mexican Revolution. Their daughters...Emilia and Luisa, who find courage in their mother's faith, and searing, explosive passion amid the turmoil of war. Their sons...Jose, who becomes a legendary horseman and a hero of the revolution. And Juan, the youngest, Victor Villasenor's father, through whose eyes this brilliant, tumultuous saga unfolds. Rejected by his own father, little Juan would learn from his mother how to live and love con gusto y amor, and from his brother, Jose, how to be a man. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abrazo Agustin Alejo anymore arms Basilio beautiful began bellowed boys breath bruja Chivo church colonel Colt 45 coyote dancing dark dogs Domingo Don Juan Don Pio Doña Margarita earth el favor Emilia Everardo eyes face familia father feeling feet fire fire dance glanced going grandfather Guadalajara Guanajuato hand he'd head hear heard heart heavens hijito horse huge hugged Indian inside Jalisco Jorge Jose Jose-Luis Jose-Luis's Jose's Juan Jesus Juan Kelly Juan's Juanito kill knew laughing leaped little brother little Juan looked Lucha Luisa Mama Mariposa Mateo mi hijito mother Mother Earth mountain never night nuestra familia old woman once peaches Pelon pray rock fence rocks screamed shooting shouted smiled soldiers soul stopped talk tears tell tequila terrible took trees turned VICTOR VILLASEÑOR vida Villaseñor watched who'd wild witch women wonderful words yelled young