Sonora Moonlight [Perfect Paperback]

Florence Byham Weinberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 5, 2008

Sonora, 1761-62: Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn, SJ, suffering from acute malaria, is transferred to a new mission, Guevavi in present-day Arizona. Healed by a Pima medicine man: Jevho, and his half-Pima, half-Irish nurse-assistant Patricia O'Meara, he becomes obsessed with converting Jevho to Christianity. A grisly murder is discovered near the mission, and Ygnacio sets about solving the crime, fearing his mission Indians will be blamed. Suspects abound in the small Irish ranching community and among Jevho's people. Patricia, in love with both the priest and Jevho, must choose between cultures, native or European.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Sonora Moonlight is a brilliant novel that begins and ends like a murder mystery, but in between explores complex human relationships in the face of spiritual crises and conflicts. It is the story of the rise and fall of a Jesuit mission in the Sonora Dessert and its devoted pastor, Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn, S. J., who assumes the role of detective. ...This fascinating work of history and imagination probes important facets of the Spanish conquest of the Americas in its spiritual and its practical dimensions. --Ralph Freedman, author of Rue the Day

About the Author

A native of Alamogordo, NM, Florence traveled extensively with her family during World Ward II. Travels continued after marriage to scholar-critic Kurt Weinberg in Canada, France, Spain and Germany. After earning her PhD, she taught for twenty-two years at St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY, and ten at Trinity University, San Antonio. She continues to travel and write, enjoying riding, hiking, swimming, and good conversation.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Twilight Times Books; Revised edition (December 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606191144
• ISBN-13: 978-1606191149
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,815,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Novel, September 2, 2009

By 

Bonnie Neely - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sonora Moonlight (Perfect Paperback)

Sonora Moonlight by Florence B. Weinberg is an intriguing novel interlaced with the mid 1760s historical background of the Spanish attempt to establish missions in the area of what is now Northwestern Mexico and Southern Arizona. Weinberg builds her story around the main character of Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn, a real historical figure in this region during the 1760s. Father Ygnacio was a real priest that came as a missionary of the church to the missions of Ati, Cucurpe and Guevavi in what was then New Spain. Sonora Moonlight begins with Father Ygnacio's arrival at the Guevavi Mission at the same time as a murder of a white rancher of Irish descent is discovered. From this beginning Weinberg has her main character having to uncover the mystery of the murder as well as bring about new relationships and understanding with the Indians of the area. Having been born on the high desert country of New Mexico and explored the area as a child, the author has a unique understanding of the culture of this region as well as the practices of the Indian tribes and their use of plants for medicinal purposes. Uncovering the mystery of the murder and the various relationships between mission, ranchers and Indians makes the reader want to read on and become immersed into a unique setting of our historical past. Weinberg was a finalist for The Eric Hoffer Award with this book, and one can well understand why from the vivid descriptions and interesting characterizations as well as a compelling plot

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Historical Story, August 22, 2009

By 

Lori Kasbeer (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sonora Moonlight (Perfect Paperback)

The year is 1761 and the place is Guevavi Mission. Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn just left his beloved Ati Mission to take over for the priest, Father Guevavi, who became too fond of Tequila. While traveling to his new mission Father Ygnacio contacted malaria and arrived at the Guevavi Mission deathly ill. He was healed by Jevho, a Pima Indian medicine man and slowly regained his strength to pick up where Father Guevavi had left off. With Father Guevavi not performing his priestly duties, several Apache raids, disease and a large amount of death Father Ygnacio had his work cut out for him. Many of the people had left the mission.

Patrick O'Meara showed up telling the tale of how he and brother did not get a long so his brother recently left to go out on his own, that is until a young Pima boy ran and told Patrick they found his brother murdered. This was not a normal murder, Michael O'Meara's body was crucified. The evidence seems to point to the Indians. Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn places everything on the line to prove their innocence. Unfortunately by doing so, he is putting his own life in jeopardy.

One of my favorite things about reviewing books, is picking up a book I normally would not read and absolutely loving it! I admit this book appealed to this Tucson born girl, but even if you have never been out west this is a good story to read. I enjoyed reading about Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn (a real historical figure) and learning more about the relationship between the Indians and the white man (in this case the role the Catholics had) back in the 1700's. If you enjoy history and love a good mystery I think you will enjoy Florence B. Weinberg's story Sonora Moonlight.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magnificient Man in the Moonlight of Sonora, April 4, 2009

By 

Ruth Rymer (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sonora Moonlight (Perfect Paperback)

Father Ygnacio Pfefferkorn leaps out of the pages of the novel, Sonora Moonlight, into a magnificient performance despite his weakened physical condition from malaria. Assigned to a new mission, Guevavi, his job is to maintain the Faith of folks already members of the Church and seek additional converts. In pursuing the latter, he tries in vain to work with a local religious leader to accommodate the differencies and similarities between Catholicism and the established religion of the area. In the meantime, a few Europeans, morally adrift in this foreign land have found themselves in a lot of trouble: intermarriage, adultery, assault, and murder. Despite several attempts on his life, Father Ygnacio survives, solves the murder and straightens out some strange relationships. The overriding theme throughout the book is the struggle of a moderate--against a doctrinaire heirachy. Unique and fascinating.