The book begins by explaining who Amarante Cordova is, and what his life has been like, to set the background of one of the main characters. Armarante and his wife, Elizabeth, had thirteen children, Nadia, Jorge, Polito, Maria Ana, Berta, Roberto, Billy, Nazario, Gabriel, Ricardo, Sally, Patsy, and Cipriano. Elizabeth made her way to the rim of the gorge, ravens circling high in the sky (image 1). As time went on many of Amarante’s children passed away, he was out lasting many of his children, and even at his old age, was in much better health than most of his children that were alive. Sensing that he may be dying, one of Amarante’s daughters sent a letter to all of the other sons and daughters saying that they should come and say their final goodbyes this Christmas. Many wrote back saying things like, “NO! I just came for Mama’s funeral!” (John Nichols, 1974) and “What is Papa trying to do to us all? I’m no spring chicken, Sally. I got a heart condition. I’m blind in one eye. I got bursitis so bad in one shoulder I cant lift my hand above my waist. And I’ve got diabetes!” (John Nichols, 1974). Only a few showed up, and at Christmas dinner a death occurred, but it wasn’t Amarante, it was Jorge, who had a heart attack.…