The House of Broken Angels
Synopsis:
The House of Broken Angels is a sprawling and epic family saga helmed by patriarch Big Angel. The novel gathers together the entire De La Cruz clan, as they meet for the final birthday party Big Angel is throwing for himself, at home in San Diego, as he nears the end of his struggle with cancer and reflects on his long and full life.
But when Big Angel’s mother, Mama America, approaching one hundred, dies herself as the party nears, he must plan her funeral as well. There will be two family affairs in one weekend: a farewell double-header. Among the attendants is his half-brother and namesake, Little Angel, who comes face to face with the siblings with whom he shared a father but not, as the weekend proceeds to remind him, a life.
This story of the De La Cruzes is the story of what it means to be a Mexican in America, to have lived two lives across one border. It is a tale of the ravaging power of death to shore up the bits of life you have forgotten, whether by choice or not. Above all, this finely wrought portrait of a deeply complex family and the America they have come to call home is Urrea at his purest and best. Teeming with brilliance and humor, authentic at every turn, The House of Broken Angels cements his reputation as a storyteller of the first rank.
Book Club Discussion:
And so we (Dine & Opine) met. We were going to meet at a new taco place- however after waiting for over 45 minutes for our table (was suppose to be 15) we left and ate at Tavern on the Tracks. Being the only member to finish this book (even though we had an extra week to finish); others were in various sections of the book; I say that this book was… not worth the read. The many characters were so numerous and many not even necessary. It was almost like the author tried too hard. Here is the advice:
Read the First Chapter. Read the Last Chapter…. boom. That will sum up the story.
Needless to say this book received a:
Next book was brought to us by Hetal: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. Better start reading!