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Rain of Gold Hardcover – Illustrated, January 1, 1991

by Villasenor (Contributor)

4.7 1,254 ratings

Book 1 of 2: The first family trilogy

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This is the Hispanic Roots, an all-American story of poverty, immigration, struggle and success. It focuses on three generations of Villasenor's kin, their spiritual and cultural roots back in Mexico, their immigration to California and their overcoming poverty, prejudice and economic exploitation. It is the warm-hearted, humorous and tragic, true story of the wily, wary, persevering forebears of Villasenor.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Novelist ( Macho ) and screenwriter Villasenor recounts the adventures and struggles of three generations of his family in this earthy Mexican American saga. His father, Juan Salvador, who fled a Mexico torn by revolution, was imprisoned at the Arizona state penitentiary at age 12 for stealing $6 worth of ore from the mine where he worked. He escaped. The author's mother, Lupe, was born in an exploitative U.S.-run gold mine in Mexico, where her brother was narrowly saved from hanging by their gutsy mother, a Yaqui Indian. Juan and Lupe bought a pool hall in the barrio of Carlsbad, Calif., the year Prohibition ended. Villasenor is a born storyteller, and this Latino Roots , though marred at times by sentimentality and cliches, is a gripping, inspirational epic full of wild adventure, bootlegging, young love, miracles, tragedies, murder and triumph over cultural barriers. 30,000 first printing; $60,000 ad/promo; TV rights to PBS.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Advertised as the Hispanic-American Roots , Rain of Gold is the story of three generations of the author's family's migration from revolutionary Mexico in the 20th century to California. But Rain of Gold is no Roots and Villasenor is not Alex Haley. His style is naive and disturbing--he ranges back and forth between his family's historical past and a more contemporary setting. Nevertheless, there is good material in this oral history. Villasenor blends family stories and tales handed down through generations into an uneven narrative but a text which is credible social history. The most visible persona is the author's mother Lupe, who grew up among soldiers and moved North from her native La Lluvia de Ora, the Mexican gold mine operated by omnipresent American economic colonial interests. The final episodes concern the family's transformation from rural Mexico to heavily Hispanic-populated California. The result is a narrative which reflects the true social fabric of Mexican Americans. Not all the publishers claim, but still recommended for most libraries. A six-hour Corporation for Public Broadcasting series is planned for 1993.
- Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., Ala.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A writer of Mexican-American heritage (Jury, 1977) tells the engrossing saga of his family's immigration to, and subsequent life in, California in the wake of the Mexican revolution. A sort of Hispanic Roots, the book focuses on three generations as they struggle with poverty and prejudice, love and life. When Villasenor was first contracted to write Rain of Gold, it was to be a ``major'' work of fiction. As he began interviewing his relatives for background material, however, he realized that there was a much more important story to tell: the nonfiction account of his family's history. Unable to convince his publisher to go along with his new plans, Villasenor gave back his $75,000 advance, took a $1,500 advance from a lesser-known house, and set about writing ``a history of a people--a tribal heritage, if you will--of my Indian-European culture as handed down to me....'' It was a brave and rewarding decision. From beginning to end, the chronicle is filled with one remarkable story after another. All have the simple warmhearted quality of family tales told around the kitchen table, yet all are eminently believable. Many episodes have to do with overcoming hardships: A daughter is brutally raped and goes blind; a proud mother is forced to become a beggar to support her children; a son admits to a murder he didn't commit in order to collect money for his family. Others deal with love and God and the ``meaning of life.'' The book is heavy-handed and sketchy at times, and bogs down in the second half, but, overall, it's a page-turner. Perhaps not the definitive Hispanic family epic, but an inspiring, fast-paced tale with a simple, fable-like quality that's often surprisingly moving. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

"A grand and vivid history...[Villasenor's] characters are keenly drawn...Often I felt like a family member quietly watching from a corner stool."

"Rain of Gold by Victor Villasenor, both enhances and enriches the American experience. It is a well-written work, filled with indelible dreams and people."

"Villasenor is a born storyteller, and this Latino Roots...is a gripping inspirational epic full of wild adventure, bootlegging, young love, miracles, tragedies, murder and triumph over cultural barriers."

About the Author

Victor Villaseñor is the author of the nonfiction books Wild Steps of Heaven and Jury: The People vs. Juan Corona. He has written several screenplays, including the award-winning The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez. Villasenor lives on the North Country San Diego ranch where he grew up.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arte Publico Press (January 1, 1991)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 551 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1558850309
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1558850309
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 820L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.6 x 8.8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #149,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #40 in Mexico History
- #591 in Author Biographies
- #2,511 in Family Saga Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.7 1,254 ratings

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Victor E. Villasenor
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Victor Villasenor is the author of the nonfiction books Rain of Gold and Jury: The People vs. Juan Corona, and the novel, Macho! He has written several screenplays, including the award-winning The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez. Villasenor continues to live on the North County San Diego ranch where he grew up.
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Victor Villasenor
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Victor Villasenor is a Mexican-American writer living in Oceanside, CA. He has overcome dyslexia to write 5 best sellers, which includes his epic family historical novel, 'Rain of Gold'! Victor had 265 rejections before he sold his first book. In addition to his 5 bestsellers Victor has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize THREE times! Today Rain of Gold is on the recommended reading list for the California State Board of Education. In 2005, the New York Public Library placed his book 'Burro Genius' on the list of Top Books for Teens.
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

1,254 global ratings

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Bunbun5

One of my favorites

Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book is one of my favorites since I was in middle school. It is a really good story. It arrived on time. For me it is worth every penny. I don't want to say much about it because im not really good on keeping things so I may spoil the story for somebody else who has not read it yet.

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Valente Perez

great read

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2023

Verified Purchase

I love the history that is shown in a beautiful aspect of Mexico in this book. Albeit, some gruesome truths ti the repercussions of the revolution. Even more beautiful is that I relate to a this book that relates to your my history. I’ve heard so many stories of old Mexico and the mystery, the miracles, the spiritual aspects of it, and this book captures it so beautifully and eloquently! Although most of it is based in California and not Mexico. The spirit lives on in these once Mexican states. I had a great time reading it and it’s my third time reading it because every time I read it I go to a place in my heart that holds still with the mystery and beauty of life.

2 people found this helpful

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Diana Reyes

the story starts off with the telling of a legend Then quickly jumps into the present Where the reader is introduced to a young

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2015

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Diana Reyes
Ms. Bullick
AP Eng Lit - Period 3
20 January 2015

An Amazon Customer Review

Okay, the story starts off with the telling of a legend
Then quickly jumps into the present
Where the reader is introduced to a young girl
That falls “in love” with a colonel that makes her head swirl

Their sweet love story is told
But then we are quickly reminded that Lupe is only six years old
The colonel takes advantage of Lupe’s family:
He eats their food and then leaves randomly
He brings his wife to them and then dies actually

Then for some reason Lupe gets a deer
Why that was necessary, it was not very clear

Then Juan’s story is told
Which is almost fictional gold

It is written that Juan ran hundreds of miles within 2 days to the next city
Maybe the author wanted the audience to pity
But it was his fault, his pride that made him miss the train
He prayed to God saying he would never be bad again

But as the story goes on
He got in trouble with everything he came upon

The story skips almost a life span
Where it begins again when Juan is a young man
That’s when the story turns into a cliched soap opera

Their eyes meet dot dot dot everything was possible
Then the writing turns almost laughable
“Love was in the air, choking the atmosphere”

Oh balls!
The balls, you have to have balls!
With any given opportunity to say balls, the author never stalled

Dona Margarita was insane
yet everyone listened to everything that came out of her brain
She claimed to gossip with the Virgin Mary on the daily
yet no one thought she was crazy

Salvador, former Juan, had a girlfriend in Montana
But he dumps her faster then he ate his taco
No explanation, no reason

Salvador, former Juan, had a brother
But he gets pinned in jail like any other
No explanation, no follow up

The characters were colorful
but not deep
The author ended up illustrating them as very generally

I read the story all 576 pages cover to cover
it could have been a 100 page book
I discovered

Half of his novel is filler
It was trying too hard to be classified as a thriller

The men were glorified like Gods
But all, even the police, were flawed

The story grew from believable non fiction
to ridiculously unbelievable fiction...

Rate: five stars
Definitely reading the sequel!

2 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Amazing

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2019

Verified Purchase

I loved this book. The story was told in such away that you felt you were a part of it. The descriptions are rich in detail and so clear you see it just as he writes about it. The truly amazing part is the history that I was now being told of which I never learned from school lessons. This book is full of little life lessons we can all learn!

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Book is perfect!

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023

Verified Purchase

This is my first time purchasing a book from Pima Library. The book was listed as good condition but it is in perfect condition. The slip that came in the book as if I walked in myself and checked it out was what really got me. Thank you for a perfect book!

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

BeautyStory

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2022

Verified Purchase

I read this outstanding book, different cover, over 25 years ago. I still have the original copy. It just reminds me so much of my family and my heritage from Mexico. Everyone should read it, it has a little drama and even some comedy. I have always wished to meet the author. Love to all!!!

2 people found this helpful

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Tom T

Great inspiration

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2012

Verified Purchase

The Rain of Gold is the story of two Mexican families, and more specifically two individuals who meet and marry, from those two families. It begins with the first very proud generation living in Mexico and moves into the next generation trying to survive the great turmoil during the Mexican revolution. It is about every day life in the Mexico they love and the great beauty of their land. It is about a successful people who live from the bountiful land and then become homeless as happens to many during war. Their immigration to the United States, where they become day laborers just to survive, is truly an amazing story. It is the story is the author's family. It is a story of faith, alcoholism, bootlegging, love, laboring in the fields and the treatment of Mexicans in a country that uses them but doesn't accept them. It is a book of humor, tears and finally triumph. If you want to really begin understand about a people who live all around this country but might appear foreign to you, this is a start. It gave me a whole new perspective about the Mexicans/Indians in this country. I do highly recommend this book, a must read.

3 people found this helpful

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Loyda Kyremes

A shared legacy

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2018

Verified Purchase

My parents were very close to the same ages as Juan and Lupe. However, our family was in New Mexico. My family moved from New Mexico to Utah in the mid 1940's and I, number 10 in our family, was born in Utah, in 1948. It was very much like moving from old Mexico, culturally speaking. Although we were not Roman Catholic, our family had a similar dedication to God and family.
This is the second time I have read this delightfully beautiful book! I am going to get copies for my grand kids to read. Their Mom's married Anglos and our families are biracial. This is an opportunity to give them a glimpse of where their roots come from. I can't wait! It is all so beautifully written.
It has been a sweet revisiting of my favorite book!

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Jayne

Loved it

Reviewed in Australia on January 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

"Rain of Gold" by Victor Villaseñor is a heartfelt and multi-generational saga that weaves together the tapestry of Mexican-American history. With a rich narrative and vibrant characters, this book earns a solid four stars in my review.

Villaseñor's storytelling is both evocative and poignant, transporting readers to a world filled with cultural richness and familial bonds.

The characters are vividly brought to life, each with their own struggles and aspirations. The author's ability to capture the essence of their experiences, from the struggles of crossing the border to the pursuit of the American Dream, adds authenticity to the narrative. The familial relationships, in particular, are portrayed with warmth and depth, making it easy for readers to empathize with the characters' joys and sorrows.

E.Gannon

Fantastic!

Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2015

Verified Purchase

Missed preparing many dinners and late for several appointments because I couldn't put this story aside. Wonderful story of love and how to say "I love you" a lot more often. Thank you!

Ellen

Intriguing

Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2014

Verified Purchase

If you are intrigued by the history of Mexico you will like this book. It is interesting and well-written, although I did feel it bogged down a bit about 3/4 of the way through.

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