This intricately crafted historical novel traces the exploits of Carmen Rangel and her participation in the events that lead to Mexico's independence from Spain. After the ideals of the Revolution are betrayed, Carmen takes up arms for Texas independence from Mexico.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
A woman of mixed heritage lives through tumultuous times in this romantically conceived historical novel, the debut of Austin, Tex., middle-school principal and short-story writer Juarez. Just prior to 1810 in Spanish-ruled Mexico, Carmen Rangel, at age 16, daughter of a Spanish grandee and an indio mother, meets an idealistic norteamericano, Coalter Owens, and learns that pro-slavery forces in the U.S. are intent on colonizing Mexico's northern province of Texas. Owens is severely wounded during an attack by the Spanish, and, with the help of an African American slave, Carmen is compelled to flee her cloistered life in a household loyal to the king of Spain. This casts her rudely into the turbulence of the Mexican revolution, which ends in 1836, following Santa Anna's siege of the Alamo. During these 20-odd years, Carmen's eyes are opened to the abasement of the poor by the ruling Spanish and, under the influence of crusading Father Miguel Hidalgo and his successor, Father Jose Morelos, she joins the revolution with her handsome norteamericano lover. The narrative covers Carmen's metamorphosis from loyalist to republican as she walks miraculously unscathed through one brush with death after another. With cameo appearances by Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, Davie Crockett, Stephen Austin and William Travisand, despite a curious lack of passion, this is a rather charming, historically based fairy tale.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Carmen Rangel's mixed parentage, Spaniard and indio, leads to problems as she grows up in Spanish-oppressed Mexico. Her father's indulgences permit her to train as a soldier dressed as a man, but the emphasis on her Spanish forebears blinds Carmen to the atrocities committed against the native peoples. Carmen's blinders are brutally ripped off when an indio friend is executed. She escapes to the hills with a young norteamericano, Coalter Owens, and a former slave, Lebe Seru. After joining Father Manuel Hidalgo, and believing that Coalter was slain in a raid, Carmen travels with Lebe Seru to the Texas Territory where they work to free American slaves. Jua{ }rez's characterizations are beautifully rendered, with Carmen growing from spoiled child to admirable adult in a natural progression. Jua{ }rez's flaws lie in keeping Carmen safe from physical harm despite horrendous circumstances, but that doesn't detract from the readability of the novel. Suitable for any fiction collection. Melanie Duncan
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Historical novel on birth of the Republics of Texas & Mexico,
By jodym@usaserve.net (Houston, TX, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Call No Man Master (Hardcover)
Historical novel about the births of the Mexican and Texas republics, and the injustices faced by Indians, Mestizos and other people of color, both in the U.S. and Mexico. I like how it displays the closely-tied relationship in history of both Texas and Mexico. The author allows Carmen Rangel, the main character, to escape certain death a few times too many to be real. Also, the mysterious healer-child Lupita is too easy a "fix" at times. But overall I enjoyed the book. It's simply written, making it easy to follow & read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book!!,
By
This review is from: Call No Man Master (Hardcover)
This book is pretty interesting. It makes you feel that you are in the story, it takes throughout the main events that happened during the Mexican Independence from Spain. I would recommend this book to anyone. I did not even want to stop reading it. There is no part in the story that will seem boring, every little sentence will be interesting. Highly recommended!
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