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Train to Oblivion
A dramatic story of love and loss across three generations as the railroad came to Patagonia, forever changing the landscape and its peoples.
Llankaray’s grandmother left a rich her medicine, an undefeatable spirit, and the stories of her Mapuche ancestors. These tales are forever etched in Llankaray’s memory—and the soil of their beloved Patagonia. She begins with Fresia, a gifted Mapuche medicine woman who communicates with plants. She raises her granddaughter, Pirenrayen, to be a strong healer and leader for her people. And then there’s Chekeken, a Tehuelche woman who was once kidnapped and sold but escaped. Her son will bear a great lineage. But most unforgettable of all is Pirenrayen, Llankaray’s grandmother. Her story collides with the arrival of the railroad in Patagonia—and with a man named Liam O’Sullivan. Born a world away in Dublin, with dreams of becoming a railroad engineer, Liam couldn’t be more different from Pirenrayen. But they both witness the oppression of their people under British power. And they find in each other a love for the ages…
Llankaray’s grandmother left a rich her medicine, an undefeatable spirit, and the stories of her Mapuche ancestors. These tales are forever etched in Llankaray’s memory—and the soil of their beloved Patagonia. She begins with Fresia, a gifted Mapuche medicine woman who communicates with plants. She raises her granddaughter, Pirenrayen, to be a strong healer and leader for her people. And then there’s Chekeken, a Tehuelche woman who was once kidnapped and sold but escaped. Her son will bear a great lineage. But most unforgettable of all is Pirenrayen, Llankaray’s grandmother. Her story collides with the arrival of the railroad in Patagonia—and with a man named Liam O’Sullivan. Born a world away in Dublin, with dreams of becoming a railroad engineer, Liam couldn’t be more different from Pirenrayen. But they both witness the oppression of their people under British power. And they find in each other a love for the ages…
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2024
119 people are currently reading
3058 people want to read
About the author
Moira Millan
4 books14 followersMoira Ivana Millán, is a Mapuche activist from Argentina. She is one of the leaders of the indigenous ancestral lands recovery movement. The recovery rights are recognized by the 1994 amendment of the Constitution of Argentina.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 14, 2020
La historia que nos enseñan la escriben los victoriosos, lo sabemos bien. No conocemos más que una de las partes de todo lo que aconteció antes que nosotrxs.
Por suerte, el libro de Moira Millán cuenta la historia que no nos contaron del avance del ferrocarril en Argentina. Nos cuenta la historia antes de la historia argentina, la historia de los mapuches y los tehuelches y las comunidades originarias patagónicas que allí vivían.
Este libro es hermoso y muy triste. Hermoso porque cuenta las historias de varias generaciones de una familia de mujeres medicina, lawentuchefe, sus amores y sus luchas siempre arraigadas a su mapu. Y es triste porque es doloroso sabernos ajenos a historias como éstas, que aunque ficticia, tienen mucho de real.
Imperdible relato para todx quien desee concectarse con la tierra, saberse caminante y no dueñx, y para quien no tema conocer un poco más de la verdad.
Por suerte, el libro de Moira Millán cuenta la historia que no nos contaron del avance del ferrocarril en Argentina. Nos cuenta la historia antes de la historia argentina, la historia de los mapuches y los tehuelches y las comunidades originarias patagónicas que allí vivían.
Este libro es hermoso y muy triste. Hermoso porque cuenta las historias de varias generaciones de una familia de mujeres medicina, lawentuchefe, sus amores y sus luchas siempre arraigadas a su mapu. Y es triste porque es doloroso sabernos ajenos a historias como éstas, que aunque ficticia, tienen mucho de real.
Imperdible relato para todx quien desee concectarse con la tierra, saberse caminante y no dueñx, y para quien no tema conocer un poco más de la verdad.
June 23, 2025
3.5 / Train to Oblivion was an interesting and unusual read. Long in parts, sometimes jarring in its translation, yet dotted with poetic and tender moments.
Overall, a love story in a time of uncertainty, war and displacement. The all too familiar story of colonial entitlement impressed upon contented people and their battle to keep hope and traditions alive.
This is the author’s debut novel, and Moira is doing wonderful things for the Mapuche Nation of Argentina. Drawing back the curtain, shining a light on past injustices, she has been successful in recovering territories for several communities, and organising the first Indigenous Women’s Parliament.
Below are a few of my favourites
“Sometimes words must be silent so only an embrace can be heard. An embrace can say things that language still has not learned.”
“Our people are a tree that knows where its roots grow, but not where its branches will end.”
“Yes there was no doubt civilization had arrived, and a new world would be imposed upon us. We would witness how all that had once existed on this mapu was swept away like dead leaves on the winds of oblivion.”
“The rooster drew back the curtain of night with its crow, opening the windows of dawn to receive the sun.”
“That injustice cuts through the fabric of goodness and innocence, wresting peace away from us.”
“War, that nightmare whose scale is impossible to grasp until it turns our lives upside down with a bombing. How could we not understand the Irish and all the oppressed peoples of the world? It is so easy to feel a kinship with those invaded nations deprived of their freedom.”
“Love tends to elude conformists, those weak-spirited people who allow themselves to be pulled along by circumstances and don’t fight with the conviction of their dreams and affections. They lead mediocre lives, and time flows for them through a narrow corridor of fears. Safety is a rocky ground that cuts into the soles of their feet. Only those who stop walking and dare to fly can achieve freedom and fulfil their dreams.”
“Two wombs cradle our children: one in the belly, for them to grow, and another in the heart, for them to feel.”
3.5 ⭐️ Kindle Edition
Overall, a love story in a time of uncertainty, war and displacement. The all too familiar story of colonial entitlement impressed upon contented people and their battle to keep hope and traditions alive.
This is the author’s debut novel, and Moira is doing wonderful things for the Mapuche Nation of Argentina. Drawing back the curtain, shining a light on past injustices, she has been successful in recovering territories for several communities, and organising the first Indigenous Women’s Parliament.
Below are a few of my favourites
“Sometimes words must be silent so only an embrace can be heard. An embrace can say things that language still has not learned.”
“Our people are a tree that knows where its roots grow, but not where its branches will end.”
“Yes there was no doubt civilization had arrived, and a new world would be imposed upon us. We would witness how all that had once existed on this mapu was swept away like dead leaves on the winds of oblivion.”
“The rooster drew back the curtain of night with its crow, opening the windows of dawn to receive the sun.”
“That injustice cuts through the fabric of goodness and innocence, wresting peace away from us.”
“War, that nightmare whose scale is impossible to grasp until it turns our lives upside down with a bombing. How could we not understand the Irish and all the oppressed peoples of the world? It is so easy to feel a kinship with those invaded nations deprived of their freedom.”
“Love tends to elude conformists, those weak-spirited people who allow themselves to be pulled along by circumstances and don’t fight with the conviction of their dreams and affections. They lead mediocre lives, and time flows for them through a narrow corridor of fears. Safety is a rocky ground that cuts into the soles of their feet. Only those who stop walking and dare to fly can achieve freedom and fulfil their dreams.”
“Two wombs cradle our children: one in the belly, for them to grow, and another in the heart, for them to feel.”
3.5 ⭐️ Kindle Edition
October 10, 2024
This book was one that I won in a giveaway. And how glad I am that I was able to read it! This is not something I would have EVER picked up on my own. And I LOVED it. So I am fortunate to have been introduced to it. And I would like to encourage you to pick it up also!
This is a true story about the Mapuche people when the railway came to Patagonia in the early 1900s. But it is so expertly told, it was mesmerizing. Moira Millan, also named Llankaray, tells the historical story of her people and how the Argentinian government stole the land that was theirs. However, she weaves it as a story. It absolutely read like a historical fiction novel. I say that for people like me who do not really enjoy non-fiction. This beautifully melded those two worlds together. And I loved every word of it.
She goes clear back to her great, great grandmother and the ways of Mapuche life and tells the story of the creation of her family tree of her people. As any time I am introduced to an Indigenous tale, the guilt and shame I feel just for being white is overwhelming… and I have no ancestral ties to Argentina! Something I struggle with as a history teacher is to explain WHY human nature is so greedy and vile. And Llankaray speaks openly about how their were greedy traitors among her own people as well. History is just tragic and heavy. And absolutely laughable as she tells of all the times English men tried to offer handsome sums of money to her people… who had no need for money at all!
She weaves a story of beautiful people, tragic circumstances, and all the rights and wrongs of the world at that time. The worlds of the Mapuche and the modern white man intersected and the story she tells is honest and forthcoming.
I want to know more about her people. I want to continue to learn just because my heart now contains the people of her family tree. Again, just so glad this book came to me so I could experience its beauty. She tells of her becoming and her life growing up amidst tribe. And I feel like I want to know more. I didn’t want to leave her! (She is also seeking film/production rights for this retelling as well, and though I know a movie would never do her story justice, I would absolutely want to see it!)
This is a true story about the Mapuche people when the railway came to Patagonia in the early 1900s. But it is so expertly told, it was mesmerizing. Moira Millan, also named Llankaray, tells the historical story of her people and how the Argentinian government stole the land that was theirs. However, she weaves it as a story. It absolutely read like a historical fiction novel. I say that for people like me who do not really enjoy non-fiction. This beautifully melded those two worlds together. And I loved every word of it.
She goes clear back to her great, great grandmother and the ways of Mapuche life and tells the story of the creation of her family tree of her people. As any time I am introduced to an Indigenous tale, the guilt and shame I feel just for being white is overwhelming… and I have no ancestral ties to Argentina! Something I struggle with as a history teacher is to explain WHY human nature is so greedy and vile. And Llankaray speaks openly about how their were greedy traitors among her own people as well. History is just tragic and heavy. And absolutely laughable as she tells of all the times English men tried to offer handsome sums of money to her people… who had no need for money at all!
She weaves a story of beautiful people, tragic circumstances, and all the rights and wrongs of the world at that time. The worlds of the Mapuche and the modern white man intersected and the story she tells is honest and forthcoming.
I want to know more about her people. I want to continue to learn just because my heart now contains the people of her family tree. Again, just so glad this book came to me so I could experience its beauty. She tells of her becoming and her life growing up amidst tribe. And I feel like I want to know more. I didn’t want to leave her! (She is also seeking film/production rights for this retelling as well, and though I know a movie would never do her story justice, I would absolutely want to see it!)
October 22, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book! Overall, I thought the length of the book originally slowed my passion for the story but as it progressed, I became very invested into the plots and characters. Unfortunately, I felt the ending was rushed and the transition of Pirenrayen’s love interest from Liam to Nahuel was a little rushed. I also felt this way about the ending of the novel. At the end of the book, I felt as if there should have been a “this is me” moment for Millán and some call to action for the reader. Overall, I enjoyed learning about Mapuche history and culture. That is why I gave this book three stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2020
Cuando conocí a Moira, me encontraba en un momento bisagra de mi formación política, militante. Me encamino de alguna manera, en ese sendero que me conducía hacia la recuperación de mi identidad, hacia la aprehensión de las costumbres y las memorias que estas calles de cemento intentaron destrozar. Hoy, y sin darse cuenta, vuelve a entregarme su aliento con esta maravillosa novela. Una historia que conmueve no solo por su prosa o estética, sino porque detras de esos devenires que acontecen en la cotidianeidad de sus personajes, se esconde la historia de un pueblo que resiste y que no olvida.
November 26, 2025
2.5 Stars
This is a hard one to rate. On the one hand, it’s one of the slowest books I’ve read and took me months to finish. I found the lack of dialogue challenging and it’s hard to know if it was the writing or translation that made it flow the way it did. On the other hand, this book is steeped in so much richness and culture (specifically that of the Mapuche people of Patagonia/Argentina) that I not only learned a lot, I appreciate this book in a way I don’t normally do for literary fiction.
Focusing on the early to mid-1900s, we are told the story of a Mapuche family first as they live freely on their land and then as colonialism (by the Spanish and English) happens in Argentina and their land gets stolen from them and their people murdered in the name of “progress.” It’s an infuriating and heartbreaking read while also tender and clearly a love story to the author’s heritage. I highly recommend this to anyone who’s interested or normally reads these type of historical fiction novels.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This is a hard one to rate. On the one hand, it’s one of the slowest books I’ve read and took me months to finish. I found the lack of dialogue challenging and it’s hard to know if it was the writing or translation that made it flow the way it did. On the other hand, this book is steeped in so much richness and culture (specifically that of the Mapuche people of Patagonia/Argentina) that I not only learned a lot, I appreciate this book in a way I don’t normally do for literary fiction.
Focusing on the early to mid-1900s, we are told the story of a Mapuche family first as they live freely on their land and then as colonialism (by the Spanish and English) happens in Argentina and their land gets stolen from them and their people murdered in the name of “progress.” It’s an infuriating and heartbreaking read while also tender and clearly a love story to the author’s heritage. I highly recommend this to anyone who’s interested or normally reads these type of historical fiction novels.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
October 13, 2025
I was vaguely aware of the plight of the Mapuche people in Southern Chile. Still, I knew little about Argentina, the historic presence of Irish settlers, English ranchers, and their interactions with the indigenous people. This book offers a rare glimpse at the local history and Mapuche culture. I highly welcome the opportunity to learn about the people's fate in a fascinating story from the inside perspective, moreover, from a woman's perspective. Her family story offers a prism of history, cross-cultural interface, and deep cultural insight. It is heartbreaking and, at the same time, enchanting. The book testifies to the indigenous people's resilience, warmth, generosity, and love in a delicate balance between suffering and joy. The detailed descriptions of Patagonia's vast landscape, nature, and human hardship invite us to pause and contemplate in the face of brutal historical events.
October 18, 2024
Train to Oblivion by Moira Millán is a haunting and evocative tale that weaves together themes of loss, resistance, and indigenous identity. The novel follows a young woman on a surreal journey through Argentina's desolate landscapes, uncovering buried histories and confronting the injustices faced by her Mapuche ancestors. Millán’s writing is both poetic and powerful, immersing readers in the beauty and brutality of the world she depicts. With its deep exploration of cultural memory, colonialism, and personal healing, it was a pleasure to read! Thank you Moira Millan, AmazonCrossing, and NetGalley for the ARC!
December 12, 2024
4⭐ - Beautiful
'A dramatic story of love and loss across three generations as the railroad came to Patagonia, forever changing the landscape and its peoples.'
Such a beautifully evocative story about 3 generations of strong Patagonia women. Loved it.
It did however take me a while to get into due to the writing style - but that might be due to the translation.
✨ I listened to the audiobook - Nadia Verde's? So soothing.
✨✨ Thank you Brilliance Publishing & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
'A dramatic story of love and loss across three generations as the railroad came to Patagonia, forever changing the landscape and its peoples.'
Such a beautifully evocative story about 3 generations of strong Patagonia women. Loved it.
It did however take me a while to get into due to the writing style - but that might be due to the translation.
✨ I listened to the audiobook - Nadia Verde's? So soothing.
✨✨ Thank you Brilliance Publishing & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 2, 2024
It's an intriguing idea for a story about a group of people many, especially in America, do not know about, but it is oh-so-slow. I wish the pace were a bit quicker because it would have made it a more enjoyable read.
December 23, 2024
DNF at 20%
I was interested to learn about the Indigenous communities in Argentina but this just got a little bit boring to me and I didn't find myself excited to pick it up so I'm going to DNF for now. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC.
I was interested to learn about the Indigenous communities in Argentina but this just got a little bit boring to me and I didn't find myself excited to pick it up so I'm going to DNF for now. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC.
October 1, 2024
Review coming soon!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews