This was a wonderful book about a young boy growing up in rural New Mexico in the 40s. It described the conflict and closeness of a family in transition. Anaya gives us highly descriptive pictures of the people and the country side; of the culture and the religion; of the changing way of life. The book is both quiet and violent. In the end I wanted to know what happens to Antonio - how does he turn out? I wanted more.

I thought the overall writing was very good; the characters were well written; it was a sad narrative with little hope in the end but it rang true. Yates didn't try to give the reader a happy ending but a true ending.