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75th out of 680 books
—
2,758 voters
The Milagro Beanfield War
by
John Nichols
Joe Mondragon, a feisty hustler with a talent for trouble, slammed his battered pickup to a stop, tugged on his gumboots, and marched into the arid patch of ground. Carefully (and also illegally), he tapped into the main irrigation channel. And so began-though few knew it at the time-the Milagro beanfield war. But like everything else in the dirt-poor town of Milagro, it w
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Paperback, 456 pages
Published
February 15th 2000
by Holt Paperbacks
(first published 1974)
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Dec 30, 2007
Abigail
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone Interested in the Human Condition
Shelves:
fiction
Review Temporarily Removed.
6 likes · like · see review
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This is my favorite damn book of all time ever. If you don't like it, I'm liable to punch you in the genitals.
Ostensibly, the book is about a water-rights squabble in a small town in New Mexico. But the book is so much more: the differences between the Mexican and American cultures, believing in miracles, political dissidence, and all of the ridiculously awesome characters that the author breathes life into.
There's Amarante Cordova, the ageless wonder who has been dying since birth, only to out...more
Ostensibly, the book is about a water-rights squabble in a small town in New Mexico. But the book is so much more: the differences between the Mexican and American cultures, believing in miracles, political dissidence, and all of the ridiculously awesome characters that the author breathes life into.
There's Amarante Cordova, the ageless wonder who has been dying since birth, only to out...more
3 likes · like · see review
How could illegally irrigating a small field of beans cause such chaos and mayhem? This is an uproariously funny book. I enjoyed the characters mini-stories throughout the book. I was charmed by the nature descriptions. Although this was set in New Mexico, it reminded me so much of the Colorado Rockeies where our family vacationed most of my life.
I just borrowed the VHS tape of this movie from the library. It was directed by Robert Redford. Very Good. A few minor changes from the book, but true...more
I just borrowed the VHS tape of this movie from the library. It was directed by Robert Redford. Very Good. A few minor changes from the book, but true...more
1 like · like · see review
I can't believe I'm saying this but the movie is better. The whole reason I wanted to read the book -- and why I put it off for so long -- is that I love the movie. I had the usual presumption that the book must be better than the movie but also feared it wouldn't be.
The movie does a lot of what Nichols should have done. It distills what's good about the book into a more potent story. Instead of hauling in a hundred half-baked characters -- and at least a dozen one-off characters who unnecessar...more
The movie does a lot of what Nichols should have done. It distills what's good about the book into a more potent story. Instead of hauling in a hundred half-baked characters -- and at least a dozen one-off characters who unnecessar...more
I first read The Milagro Beanfield War years ago, but in June 2009, while traveling, encountered the author's photo essay about how he came to write the book. That got me interested in a re-read. It was worth it. Nichol's prose is dense and rich, so descriptive that I find myself re-reading paragraphs just for the joy of the images evoked by the words.
This novel contains a large number of finely drawn characters with fascinating back stories, which Nichols manages to weave into the main narrativ...more
This novel contains a large number of finely drawn characters with fascinating back stories, which Nichols manages to weave into the main narrativ...more
I was really enjoying this book for the first couple hundred pages, especially since I grew up watching the film and so I already had a huge affection for the story and the main characters. However, somewhere around page 300 I couldn't take it anymore. I don't know why everybody who pops into a scene has to have a lengthy backstory. It contributes nothing to my appreciation of a novel when the author digresses for five pages every time a new character, however insignificant, wanders onto the pag...more
Though at first it was hard to immerse myself in this world due to a lot legal jargon and political dealings, once past that, the world of this miraculous town and the people that live in it became a loved place where I would like to belong, if not write more about. Mr. Nichols sure has a sadistic and dry sense of humor that had me chuckling and gripping tight at the same time. What a ride! I read it at a time when my own family dealings felt like a war as well and escaping one world to emerge o...more
This is quite a book...the characters (and there are lots of them!) are real, hilarious, touching, and some are mean-spirited and selfish. Taking place in a small town in northern New Mexico, Milagro, it's a story about Joe Mondragon, 36, frustrated and poor, who illegally taps into the main irrigation system to water his bean field. So begins the "War" between Joe, the locals who finally support him, and Big Business. There's lots of magical realism, the beauty of a small community and the outl...more
Trust Your Instincts!
The Milagro Beanfield War is a funny, heartbreaking, entertaining story about how one man inspired his community to rise against those who has stolen, oppressed and abused them – legally, of course – for decades.
Joe Mondragon is my hero! A down on his luck jack-of-all-trades who is struggling to stay one step ahead of his creditors, feed his family and survive this life with all parts in tact. For most of his life, Joe has been pissed off – a rebel without a clue – always ac...more
The Milagro Beanfield War is a funny, heartbreaking, entertaining story about how one man inspired his community to rise against those who has stolen, oppressed and abused them – legally, of course – for decades.
Joe Mondragon is my hero! A down on his luck jack-of-all-trades who is struggling to stay one step ahead of his creditors, feed his family and survive this life with all parts in tact. For most of his life, Joe has been pissed off – a rebel without a clue – always ac...more
This book centers on the troubles of a latino community in New Mexico. It explores how they have been progressively dispossessed of their resources and heritage. The crux of the book is based on Joe watering a beanfield where he has no irrigation rights and how this little beanfield becomes a symbolic place that stirs scales of power into action.
I enjoyed this book. Yet I feel like the last 100 pages could have been substantially reduced and were primarily about the author inserting several disp...more
I enjoyed this book. Yet I feel like the last 100 pages could have been substantially reduced and were primarily about the author inserting several disp...more
I really want to give this a 4.5, but alas. . . . I've opted for five stars because it's such a marvel of a novel in general and when the comic scenes are hitting they are banging loudly. The truncated point five would be a result of Nichols's tendency toward over-realizing his minor characters and the congruent scenes. While I heartily recommend this novel, it might be useful for a first-time reader to keep a list of important characters. So I've included one so that you don't get too sidetrack...more
Fantasy realism or realistic fantasy but either way John weaves magic over a story that you know but yet it is a novel. He is one of the best character writers I have come across and moves them through a touching but funny and real storyline. I have not read the other two books (Magic Journey and Nirvana Blues), and I am almost scared to because I have heard they are not as good.
I tried to find a good used hard copy for Kirk a few years ago for his birthday. So I went to the one good used books...more
I tried to find a good used hard copy for Kirk a few years ago for his birthday. So I went to the one good used books...more
This book is excellent. It has incredibly intricate character depth. Nichols introduces more characters in the beginning of the book than the reader thinks he can handle and then proceeds to introduce the reader to all these characters in such a way that the reader feels like a resident in this small New Mexican town.
This book has a wonderful struggle of the people against "the system" and "big money". At times it is laugh out loud funny. It also is powerful. This book took about 10 pages for m...more
This book has a wonderful struggle of the people against "the system" and "big money". At times it is laugh out loud funny. It also is powerful. This book took about 10 pages for m...more
This novel is delightful, and the comic scenes are riotously funny. The comic value is obviously on point, but what I find just as captivating is the brilliant structure. The importance of the novel is not found in the plot, necessarily; Nichols’ characters make this novel so intriguing. He does an outstanding job of creating Milagro. While reading, I truly felt like I was a resident in the dirt-poor town. Joe Mondragon is the Robin Hood of Milagro! I couldn’t help but cheer for him throughout t...more
I just re-read this book after not having read it since it was newly released. The book remains excellent. It has not become dated, but is now definitely a period piece. It beautifully describes this little New Mexico culture during a particular period of time. The charaters are vibrant and the story is excellent. The book leisurly grows on you. I really love all the local legendary stuff, like Pacheco's pig and Onofre Martinez's arm The pathetic Vista volunteer is a particularly great character...more
The Milagro Beanfield War was one of those books that Goodreads thought I would like and I thought I should like. But I couldn't even finish. And I tried. I made it through slightly more than half of the book. And while I found the characters compelling and their plight interesting the lack of a good plot kept me from finishing.
My reading of this book languished for over two weeks with a few pages at a time being read. FInally, I decided I needed a break, so I picked up another book and read it...more
My reading of this book languished for over two weeks with a few pages at a time being read. FInally, I decided I needed a break, so I picked up another book and read it...more
I was a little leery about this book when I first got into it. A cast of thousands--and all sharing, at most, 5 last names. There were sidetracks and flashbacks and meandering moments of conversation, but OMG, the characterization of the people who live in the bleak little town of Milagro just blew me away. No need for me to summarize the plot as it's available to read on GR and multiple places. And honestly, the plot is secondary to the characters who populate Milagro.
Nichols' prose is layered...more
Nichols' prose is layered...more
My father's review:
10/4/08
The book and the movie are both near classics, now, so most of you have probably read or seen one or the other, or both. Despite awareness that they existed and are highly recommended, only now have we watched the DVD.
The movie is done as an emotional wallop. Love! Love of neighbors, love of place, love of community, love of a particular revered old man and his love in return. I am hooked and have corrected past neglect by ordering both the book and the DVD for our own...more
10/4/08
The book and the movie are both near classics, now, so most of you have probably read or seen one or the other, or both. Despite awareness that they existed and are highly recommended, only now have we watched the DVD.
The movie is done as an emotional wallop. Love! Love of neighbors, love of place, love of community, love of a particular revered old man and his love in return. I am hooked and have corrected past neglect by ordering both the book and the DVD for our own...more
Anticipating a SW trip with the girls in August. Perfect way to gear up.
UPDATE
This book is rich in character and characters. It's obvious Nichols wrote this from real experience in the southwest, specifically New Mexico. That's not to say the book is a literal depiction. Quite the contrary...or maybe, partially the contrary.
Milagro, the book, is peppered with superstition, fate, spirits and yes, miracles. Milagro, the fictional town and stage for our brightly colored story, is peppered with ecce...more
UPDATE
This book is rich in character and characters. It's obvious Nichols wrote this from real experience in the southwest, specifically New Mexico. That's not to say the book is a literal depiction. Quite the contrary...or maybe, partially the contrary.
Milagro, the book, is peppered with superstition, fate, spirits and yes, miracles. Milagro, the fictional town and stage for our brightly colored story, is peppered with ecce...more
Que Viva Snuffy Ledoux!
I read this book 35 years ago for the first time when I was fifteen years old. It remains one of my all time favorites. After re-reading - because one of my friends told me I reminded him of Amarante Cordova - and because I always considered myself to be more of a Jose Mondragon - the themes remain contemporary. They remind me why I consider this timeless piece of literature to be such a great demonstration of artistry and craftsmanship.
Milagro Beanfield War is an enchant...more
I read this book 35 years ago for the first time when I was fifteen years old. It remains one of my all time favorites. After re-reading - because one of my friends told me I reminded him of Amarante Cordova - and because I always considered myself to be more of a Jose Mondragon - the themes remain contemporary. They remind me why I consider this timeless piece of literature to be such a great demonstration of artistry and craftsmanship.
Milagro Beanfield War is an enchant...more
3 likes · like · see review
Aug 15, 2008
Ben
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Ben by:
God and Circumstance
"You can't buy bullets with food stamps," says Nick Rael, the store owner of the one store in Milagro, New Mexico, when Amarante Cordova peals off four one-dollar stamps and carefully lays them on the counter. This absurd scene in The Milagro Beanfield War, the first novel in John Nichols' epic New Mexico Triology, serves well enough to illustrate the power of Nichols' voice and the authority of his narrative, but Amarante takes his bullets and shuffles off to stand guard over Joe Mondragon's co...more
Before I started this, all I knew about this book was that it had something to do with the Southwest and that Nichols’s name often comes up in the Mountain Gazette and in the same circles as people like Mary Sojourner and Ed Abbey. Apparently it was made into a movie in ’88.
It all takes place in the small town of Milagro in the northern New Mexico mountains. This is a typical small mountain town, full of characters, pick-up trucks and anger toward the government. The two main differences betwee...more
It all takes place in the small town of Milagro in the northern New Mexico mountains. This is a typical small mountain town, full of characters, pick-up trucks and anger toward the government. The two main differences betwee...more
I found myself within the first few minutes of reading this book, laughing out loud. This has a particular appeal to me, because I am a native to New Mexico and a Chicano...but I would not necessarily say that it excludes others from understanding its very unique style. Perhaps it can be noted that if you do happen to hail from the southwest, its charm and originality, along with the added plus of some very comical Spanish create a very delightful bonus. Otherwise I recommend this book to any an...more
Milagro, NM, resident persists in illegally (ie, sans water rights) siphoning off water to feed his small bean field, despite law enforcement's (and others'), "encouragement" of him to cease & desist. This persistence sparks a local revolution of sorts.
Frankly, it was an effort to finish this book. It wasn't a terrible read and it DID bring to life the politics, dynamics and struggles of small, poor, border-state town with the inherent cultural clashes between Anglos & Latinos. That said...more
Frankly, it was an effort to finish this book. It wasn't a terrible read and it DID bring to life the politics, dynamics and struggles of small, poor, border-state town with the inherent cultural clashes between Anglos & Latinos. That said...more
I think everyone goes through a phase where they think, "how hard could it be to write a novel." This is a novel, that makes it seem like writing fiction doesn't exist. The characters are so richly interwoven with each other, the landscape, and story of the town that they surely must exist in fact. How could one man imagine such a complicated and hilarious landscape? The first thing I wanted to do when I finished was visit Milagro, but sadly it doesn't actually exist.
My partner and I both read this book on a trip to Mexico. I loved it; she couldn't finish it. Go figure. It's one of those books that takes a long story and makes it longer with lots of backstory and description, but it's very funny, very thought-provoking backstory and I I was happy to take the ride. The characters are, well...characters. There's just the right mix of optimism and downright cynicism, and more than a few surprises. A great vacation read.
This rather long novel was delightful, gutsy, ribald, funny (laugh out loud), charming, sweet and colorful. The story telling is the best ever, a little like Steinbeck, only funnier. The story line offers a stretch to the imagination and a leap from your regular reality. Set in New Mexico, the sites and smells and temperments of these small town characters jump off the page. Highly entertaining. I learned life is what you make it: take a chance!
Yes, this is the book on which Redford's well-known movie was based. I haven't seen the movie but really enjoyed the book. Somewhat reflective of the attitude of the time (late 60s, early 70s) but timeless as well. And funny. Laugh-out-loud funny in places. Great sense of time and place. I describe it as a New Mexico "Red Green". But darker. Now I want to see the movie although it couldn't begin to capture all the hilarious details and subplots of a 500-page book. Highly recommended.
ONE OF MY TOP 5 BOOKS OF ALL TIME........
Number one in the New Mexico Trilogy. Superb reading and funny as hell. Character development that is absolutely unique. Funny, moving, sensitive and educational. A real story of the plight of poor Northern New Mexican natives as the face the problems and costs of new development.
Amarante, in his 80's and as lovable as can be sits quietly and talks with ghosts, Joe Mondragon accidentally kicks out a water dam and begins watering his father's field, illeg...more
Number one in the New Mexico Trilogy. Superb reading and funny as hell. Character development that is absolutely unique. Funny, moving, sensitive and educational. A real story of the plight of poor Northern New Mexican natives as the face the problems and costs of new development.
Amarante, in his 80's and as lovable as can be sits quietly and talks with ghosts, Joe Mondragon accidentally kicks out a water dam and begins watering his father's field, illeg...more
I've seen the movie twice (and I don't often watch movies a second time), but not read the book until now. John Nichols is a skillful, witty and poignant writer and the story unfolds in a captivating way. I particularly enjoyed his characterization, though I must say I did have trouble keeping track of the various characters in the book. Enjoyed it - as much as the movie!!!
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John Nichols is the author of the New Mexico trilogy, a series about the complex relationship between history, race and ethnicity, and land and water rights in the fictional Chamisaville County, New Mexico. The trilogy consists of The Milagro Beanfield War (which was adapted into the film The Milagro Beanfield War directed by Robert Redford), The Magic Journey, and The Nirvana Blues.
Two of his oth...more
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“Listen cousin, the way things are supposed to work out, one day the struggles of all you screwed up little underdogs will forge a permanent rainbow that'll encircle this entire earth, I should live so long.”
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