Cantora is a history of three generations of Mexican women and their families. Rosario, the daughter of Pilar and Ramon, has been told she must go to Spain to marry a man she has never met. The marriage arrangement was made when she was born. Rosario's family emigrated from Spain to Mexico. Her fiancee's family is another wealthy family still living in Spain. Rosario is determined not to marry this man.
She is in love with a townsman and a bandit who works for Pancho Villa. That night she leaves home taking shelter in a cave awaiting Alejandro, who is hiding in the mountains. For a while they are happy in spite of the hard life and settle in a tiny town until Alejandro is killed. Taking her children, Rosario returns home only to be turned away by her father, who blames her for the death of his wife, Pilar. He claims Rosario's leaving caused Pilar to die a slow death wondering about their daughter, that her leaving left Pilar, Her mother, with a broken heart.
Not having anywhere to go, she takes herself into the mountains along with her old nurse and friend, Juana. One of Rosario's children has been named after her mother, Pilar. Rosario is determined to survive and does so with the help of her children and friends.
The story is told in different voices and it confused me a bit as it was written in the present and past. The use of italics to try to differentiate between the characters made it a little easier. It tells of a woman's love and desire and her determination to make a life for her children. Some of the choices she made I had a very hard time agreeing with but then I was never in that situation.
It does prove an interesting read, despite the switching of past and present and the different characters talking or reminiscing.
She is in love with a townsman and a bandit who works for Pancho Villa. That night she leaves home taking shelter in a cave awaiting Alejandro, who is hiding in the mountains. For a while they are happy in spite of the hard life and settle in a tiny town until Alejandro is killed. Taking her children, Rosario returns home only to be turned away by her father, who blames her for the death of his wife, Pilar. He claims Rosario's leaving caused Pilar to die a slow death wondering about their daughter, that her leaving left Pilar, Her mother, with a broken heart.
Not having anywhere to go, she takes herself into the mountains along with her old nurse and friend, Juana. One of Rosario's children has been named after her mother, Pilar. Rosario is determined to survive and does so with the help of her children and friends.
The story is told in different voices and it confused me a bit as it was written in the present and past. The use of italics to try to differentiate between the characters made it a little easier. It tells of a woman's love and desire and her determination to make a life for her children. Some of the choices she made I had a very hard time agreeing with but then I was never in that situation.
It does prove an interesting read, despite the switching of past and present and the different characters talking or reminiscing.
