Her frustrations find outlets through a friendship with an eccentric neighbor and an affair with a man who respects her and nurtures her spirit and independence. Through hardship and grim determination, she learns to look with her own eyes, to feel with her own heart. She discovers a deep well of resilience and compassion, with room for growth and freedom. Her story is one of a leap of faith, away from despair and toward life at its fullest. Despite all odds, she navigates herself, through small but profound changes, into new ways of living, of relating to her friends, her daughter, herself.
The Road From La Cueva: A Novel
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
''Set in the real earth and traditions of New Mexico, this moving story will garner many readers.'' --Rudolfo Anaya
''A touching story of the search for fulfillment. Sheila Ortego's tender voice will move you.'' --Michael McGarrity
''I would give this a five-star rating because it captured me, educated me and let me see that there are true friends and love out there.'' --Front Street Reviews
''A touching story of the search for fulfillment. Sheila Ortego's tender voice will move you.'' --Michael McGarrity
''I would give this a five-star rating because it captured me, educated me and let me see that there are true friends and love out there.'' --Front Street Reviews
About the Author
Sheila Ortego is president of Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Born in New Orleans and of Acadian ancestry, Dr. Ortego received her doctorate in American Studies at the University of New Mexico, and since has taught Southwest Literature, Women's Literature, and Women's Studies at several colleges and universities. Her poetry has been published by the Santa Fe Literary Review, and she is a member of the Live Poets Society in Santa Fe. The Road from La Cueva was a first place winner in the 2008 New Mexico Book Awards.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Here's a review from Alex Pattakos, author of Prisoners of Our Thoughts:
The Road from La Cueva"A powerful and passionate story about the defiance of the human spirit! The Road from La Cueva is an existential drama that needs to be read by anyone who has ever questioned the deeper meaning of their life's circumstances. In an engaging and empowering style, Dr. Sheila Ortego takes us on an adventurous road trip through the hills and valleys of the human experience. And she does it with characters with whom we can all resonate on some level! Here's an intimate, authentic account of the struggle within that all of us, as human beings, must face in our everyday lives."
The Road from La Cueva"A powerful and passionate story about the defiance of the human spirit! The Road from La Cueva is an existential drama that needs to be read by anyone who has ever questioned the deeper meaning of their life's circumstances. In an engaging and empowering style, Dr. Sheila Ortego takes us on an adventurous road trip through the hills and valleys of the human experience. And she does it with characters with whom we can all resonate on some level! Here's an intimate, authentic account of the struggle within that all of us, as human beings, must face in our everyday lives."
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
...this story will make laugh, cry, and finally rejoice at the power of the human spirit. While it is a story as told by Ana Howland, it is not restricted to the lives of women. It will touch a nerve for any person that has, for any number of reasons, surrendered their spirit to another human being. And that person took it without regard for the gifts they held in their hands. The gifts of love and trust. It is about control.
Her journey takes you on a "road" sometimes tended to but, more often muddied and challanging while pulling neighbors, friends, and family along the way. It tells how she loses herself in order to meet with the approval of another only to hit the bottom to find she is no longer the person she wanted to be...living the life she wanted to live. The only way is up and Ana does this without compromising her beliefs by taking control of herself again. This strengthens the relationship with her child, her family, and eventualy her heart. Once she loves herself again she can love another.
Ana shows us that the road to La Cueva, as in life, may be long and tortuous but when you stay true to yourself, you will reach your final destination. This is "Mapquest" for the human spirt!
Her journey takes you on a "road" sometimes tended to but, more often muddied and challanging while pulling neighbors, friends, and family along the way. It tells how she loses herself in order to meet with the approval of another only to hit the bottom to find she is no longer the person she wanted to be...living the life she wanted to live. The only way is up and Ana does this without compromising her beliefs by taking control of herself again. This strengthens the relationship with her child, her family, and eventualy her heart. Once she loves herself again she can love another.
Ana shows us that the road to La Cueva, as in life, may be long and tortuous but when you stay true to yourself, you will reach your final destination. This is "Mapquest" for the human spirt!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This beautifully written novel tells the story of one woman's journey of self-discovery. The novel doesn't only contend with Ana Howland's increasing sense of being smothered by a domineering and controlling husband, but also shows her growing realization that she has always lived under the overbearing weight of an oppressive relationship. Neither her authoritarian mother nor her dictatorial husband can accept her as a separate and imperfect person.
The Road from La Cueva is full of metaphor and in the hands of Ortego, the use of this device brings a richness and poetry to a topic that might seem trite in other hands. We are given a deeper glimpse into Ana's struggles through the images of the hostile road from La Cueva, the stubborn clay shaped by the potter, and the Changing Woman Ceremony (sometimes called the Sunrise Ceremony).
The road to and from Ana's home is a very tangible representation of those oppressive relationships in her life. When this dirt road is dry, it is as hard and unyielding as rock ... ready to tear up and break what dares to pass over it. Wet, the road is even worse. It oozes over and sucks everything into it with "a satisfied, brown belch."
The beauty of the imperfect is gorgeously represented through the craft of pottery. As Ana learns this craft from Michael, a co-worker, she notices that one of his creations has an uneven rim.
"He ran his fingers around the rim of the cup. 'See how this isn't even? The Japanese call this shibui, the flaw that makes something beautiful. The shape has to have some room, some freedom.' ... 'Like with people,' he said, and she nodded."
It is this very room and freedom that is lacking in Ana's life. She has allowed the oppressive behaviors of others to weigh down her very being and she knows that it is something only she can change.
One of the most beautiful chapters in the book is the one describing the Changing Woman Ceremony, a Native American ceremony celebrating the change from girlhood to womanhood. Ana already knows that the means to change her life is within reach. It becomes more apparent as she watches the ceremony and recognizes her own internal strength and power as a woman. No longer will she be passively shaped by others. Ana already has the ability to gain command over her weaknesses, to be physically and emotionally strong, and to endure and suffer with dignity. Before the readers' eyes, "[she is shaped] ... into the woman she [is] to become." Her deep compassion and resilience form a strong core around which to emerge.
The Road from La Cueva is an encouraging look at the power we all have to shape our own lives. The passion and beauty of the writing is something that will draw me back to this story repeatedly.
The Road from La Cueva is full of metaphor and in the hands of Ortego, the use of this device brings a richness and poetry to a topic that might seem trite in other hands. We are given a deeper glimpse into Ana's struggles through the images of the hostile road from La Cueva, the stubborn clay shaped by the potter, and the Changing Woman Ceremony (sometimes called the Sunrise Ceremony).
The road to and from Ana's home is a very tangible representation of those oppressive relationships in her life. When this dirt road is dry, it is as hard and unyielding as rock ... ready to tear up and break what dares to pass over it. Wet, the road is even worse. It oozes over and sucks everything into it with "a satisfied, brown belch."
The beauty of the imperfect is gorgeously represented through the craft of pottery. As Ana learns this craft from Michael, a co-worker, she notices that one of his creations has an uneven rim.
"He ran his fingers around the rim of the cup. 'See how this isn't even? The Japanese call this shibui, the flaw that makes something beautiful. The shape has to have some room, some freedom.' ... 'Like with people,' he said, and she nodded."
It is this very room and freedom that is lacking in Ana's life. She has allowed the oppressive behaviors of others to weigh down her very being and she knows that it is something only she can change.
One of the most beautiful chapters in the book is the one describing the Changing Woman Ceremony, a Native American ceremony celebrating the change from girlhood to womanhood. Ana already knows that the means to change her life is within reach. It becomes more apparent as she watches the ceremony and recognizes her own internal strength and power as a woman. No longer will she be passively shaped by others. Ana already has the ability to gain command over her weaknesses, to be physically and emotionally strong, and to endure and suffer with dignity. Before the readers' eyes, "[she is shaped] ... into the woman she [is] to become." Her deep compassion and resilience form a strong core around which to emerge.
The Road from La Cueva is an encouraging look at the power we all have to shape our own lives. The passion and beauty of the writing is something that will draw me back to this story repeatedly.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Familiar Road...New Landscape
Good writing, intriguing story, well-developed characters. Sheila Ortego deftly describes a woman's journey that is familiar, but she leads the reader through a physical landscape... Read more
Published 13 months ago by BooksRMyThing
The Road from La Cueva
This wonderfully written book, is one of a young woman's (Ana) story of determination, courage, friendship and love. Dr. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Cindy Hoffman
An Authentic Journey
There's no mistaking the central figure in Santa Fe Community College president Sheila Ortego's debut novel. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Candelora Versace
quiet revelation
A quiet afternoon, a warm couch, a breeze off the porch, and a simply written, powerful read telling a unique, yet universal story that many women, and yes, many men, can melt... Read more
Published on May 18, 2010 by JSquires
So authentic! Really grabs you.
I love the way this book takes you into the gritty reality of a bad marriage and dismal circumstances, while maintaining humor and hope. It's hard to put down. Read more
Published on April 4, 2010 by Hope O. Kiah
A Non-fiction guy gets into a fiction chick book - who knew?
After browsing in a bookstore and finding nothing of particular interest I came across this book. I usually have a very hard time keeping my interest in fiction, particularly... Read more
Published on October 29, 2009 by Andrew Weiss
A Woman of Valor
I cut my teeth on mystery novels and they're still my favorite reading, so I surprised myself by reading Sheila's movel at the recommendation of a friend. Read more
Published on October 27, 2009 by Michael L. Costello
The Road From La Cueva
I could not put this book down. To me it was a true love story, not of the usual type that is so common, but a love story of a woman for her child, her Father and a friend. Read more
Published on March 2, 2009 by Linda L. Bankard
A journey taken
The Road to La Cueva is a book which takes root in the soul growing from a tiny bud to a tree full of wisdom and possibility, unafriad to shed its leaves and change with the... Read more
Published on January 4, 2009 by Patricia M. Mcdowell
A Heartfelt Gift
I had the pleasure of meeting Sheila Ortego at a book festival in Nashville. She was unassuming, pretty in an unpretentious way, and there were stories of beauty and pain lurking... Read more
Published on October 27, 2008 by Eric Wilson
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