From the moment Luis Alberto Urrea begins reading his novel (I recommend the audio book) in Mexican-American Espanglish every character in this huge family jumps to life. Big Angel, the family patriarch is dying of cancer, but instead of becoming morose, he passes his days recounting the joys of his life: working, his wife's skinny legs in stockings, oysters, his family. After attending his mother's funeral, and arriving frustratingly late (
Real Mexicans are not late!, he bellows), he readies himself for his own birthday fiesta. Brothers, children,
Tios and
Tias, grandchildren too numerous to count, girlfriends and boyfriends in every generation, mariachi bands, folding tables bearing too much food, and a decorated cake from
El Target arrive bringing with them family conflicts, simmering alienation, and the committed love of four generations.
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