The Volcano Daughters
In 1914 El Salvador, Graciela is born into a coffee plantation community. It’s a hardscrabble but cozy childhood surrounded by her four friends and all their mothers. Missing is Graciela’s older sister Consuelo, who was taken to live with their father in the capital some years ago. When he dies, Graciela’s mother is tricked into bringing her to the capital, to replace her late father as oracle to the ruling general.
Graciela and Consuelo follow different paths in this story that weaves a tapestry of lush images, historical details, authentic settings, and magical realism. From Central America to Hollywood, San Francisco, and France, it’s never an easy journey. With resilience, stubbornness, and a large sprinkle of Spanish slang, they persevere. Graciela and Consuelo, as well the chorus of ghosts who accompany them, are vivid on the page.
This book is layered, rich, and well-researched. However, I wish the author had included a note clarifying which aspects were based on real historical events and people, since Central American history isn’t widely known among English-speaking readers.
Despite the lack of a research note, I heartily recommend this book. With lyrical language, this story lulls the reader deeper and deeper into the space between dreaming and waking. In addition, it’s rare that El Salvador is the setting for a story, rare to have a story centered on the hardships and strengths of women without any romantic subplot, and rare to use magical realism in a way that encompasses the theme of women supporting each other.
