The Five Destinies of Carlos Moreno

by George Weinstein

During the Great Depression, the U.S. government illegally deported more than a million Mexican-American citizens to make room on the welfare rolls and alleviate unemployment for white Americans. Many of these poor souls never made it back home. Carlos Moreno is a young man who only has known hardship and poverty, chasing rumors of work throughout Texas in the 1920s. Yet he remains a romantic at heart and hopeful of a better life. Pursued by a renegade Texas Ranger who thinks he holds the key to a secret, Carlos takes refuge in “Little Mexico,” Houston’s colorful, boisterous barrio. He picks the worst possible time to fall in love. As the U.S. launches its repatriation campaign, the ranger joins forces with Immigration agents to step up his personal manhunt. Now Carlos and his wife will have to rely on courage and ingenuity to avoid the dragnet that will ensnare an entire population.

340 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2013

About the author

George Weinstein is the author of the Southern historical novel Hardscrabble Road, its sequel Return to Hardscrabble Road, the kidnapping thriller Watch What You Say, the amateur-sleuth murder mystery Aftermath, the novel of forgotten US history The Five Destinies of Carlos Moreno, and the contemporary relationship drama The Caretaker, as well as the children's adventure book Jake and the Tiger Flight.

He has always written: by six years old, he had written a collection of superhero plays for his stuffed animals to act out, to entertain his brother and sister. And, his family will attest, he loved telling lies as a youth, even when there was no penalty for telling the truth, just to see what he could get away with and for how long. So, it’s little wonder he now writes fiction.

His work has been published in the Atlanta press and in regional and national anthologies, including A Cup of Comfort for Writers. His first novel, the children’s motivational adventure Jake and the Tiger Flight, was written for the nonprofit Tiger Flight Foundation, which is dedicated to the mission of leading the young to become the “Pilot in Command” of their lives. He wishes that there had been such an organization in Laurel, Maryland, where he misspent his youth.

George is the current Executive Director of the Atlanta Writers Club (AWC) and has twice-served as President. Since 2008, he has directed the twice-yearly Atlanta Writers Conference for the AWC, bringing in acquisition editors and literary agents to help members understand the business of writing and achieve their dreams of publication. The AWC was established in 1914. George was established only a few years later; he has a self-portrait in his attic that looks like hell.

He lives with his wife, her two daughters, and their cats in Marietta, GA.

Reviews

[Sandra Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although written years before, and references a time decades in the past, this book reads like current events. The Five Destinies of Carlos Moreno illustrates the capricious nature of life in America for many immigrants, and the pain that comes from dehumanizing a people as a means to an end. It is ultimately a celebration of the human spirit to overcome adversity, and to choose love even in the midst of unbearable pain.

[G.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a mystical quality. Very lyrical and deep, yet on the surface, an entertaining story that will capture your heart and make you cheer for Carlos as he journeys through his destinies. I was thinking of Herman Hesse and Steppenwolfe when I read this novel. Maybe it's just me. Very enjoyable read.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a wonderfully told story, almost fantastical in the telling, yet so soulfully done that one can't help feeling true empathy for the main character, Carlos, and his friends, and disgust for the antagonists. I learned an awful lot about what it is was to be a Mexican immigrant in this country in the early 20th Century, and that unfortunately, tragically, it seems not much has changed since. There is an adage that as one ages, they become wiser. I think maybe, if one is a reader, and one's genre is expansive, it is perhaps inevitable that one is going to discover that their country's government has done some pretty despicable things in the past. Things that get swept under the rug and are not talked about. At least, that is what is happening to me. I am learning all sorts of horrible things the American government has done over the last two centuries that was NEVER taught to me in school. That has NEVER been mentioned in the media, that was never mentioned in college. And I am grateful to Mr. Weinstein and other authors who have researched and written about these travesties so that we may know of them. So that we can fight to prevent these inhumane policies from being repeated now and in the future.

[Colin Kitchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did not meet my expectations from a fine author who has written such gems as “Hard scrabble road” and its sequel.
It’s about the depression years when Texas became part of the USA and they decided to send back the Mexican workers to Mexico. I must say that I’m not much the wiser as to what was going on from reading this book. It is in fact more of a love story. The diction does not flow as well as some of his other works but he creates a credible Mexican atmosphere with all the festivities and music. However it could have been set any where and I didn’t understand that this was in Texas.
I didn’t like all the Tarot card palaver either, it seemed to disconnect with his religious friend and priest. I found it difficult to perceive how Carlos was able to escape the police for so long. So many unanswered mysteries for me.
Some of the love scenes are quite sexy but this didn’t make up for the rest of the confusion.
Does this book have anything to do with the “ secret Underground railroad” regarding the sewer network ?? Maybe I dreamt that!

[Kim Conrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was deeply soulful. I can't imagine the amount of research that went into getting every detail and nuance of the time, place, and culture correct. The descriptions of the barrios and Day of the Dead celebrations really made me feel as if I were tasting, smelling, and hearing everything right along with Carlos. Best of all, and worst of all, I learned about an appalling part of US history that I was unaware of. This book is timely. A heartrendingly beautiful read.

[Rona Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Weinstein crafted an intriguing story from a forgotten piece of history and cleverly weaves the tale of the a Mexican-American immigrant with the words of a tarot card reader who tells Carlos his fortune and those of an omniscient narrator who explains the broader perspective and as the author explains, echoes one of his favorite literary works, the Grapes of Wrath.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author at a holiday gift show, and we talked about our interest in historical fiction. So thought I'd give this book a try. I really liked it...the complex characters, setting that depicts a part of the country I've never really been to, a plot that doesn't quit. And the bonus of learning about a slice of history I never knew about. I will definitely read George Weinstein's other books.

[patti atchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

This book was an accidental read. I was offered it for free and had nothing to lose. It was a gift. I reread parts of it over and over because I needed to hear the words again. The characters seemed real and the story true. It’s hard to believe it’s fiction. Beautifully written prose and thoughtful plot make the this author a rock star in my opinion.

[Amy Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book club’s October book from Carol. Rare find that wasn’t on many lists and didn’t have lots of reviews. Audio book version is great. I enjoyed this fiction book, learned some history, and thought it was well-written. One of my favorite books from book club!

[Alene Yorke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one I struggled to put down, great characters and story.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

And still such controversy and injustice today.