Reading the Knots: A Novel

by Susan Garzon

In 1954, as civil war looms over Guatemala, a startling discovery at an archaeological dig triggers a series of events that threaten the lives and well-being of three women.Meg Fuente, the archaeologist's American wife, is drawn to the camaraderie and idealism of a left-wing political group, but she recognizes that she might be putting herself in danger if the progressive government falls. Patricia, the headstrong daughter of a wealthy coffee planter, is determined to excavate at the Fuentes' dig, but she must keep her labors hidden from her violent, right-wing father. And Noemi, a girl from a poor indigenous town, is able to stave off hunger thanks to her brother's salary as foreman at the dig―but some of the town Elders see the excavations as an insult to their ancestors, a mysterious group who once lived in the valley where the dig is situated.In a political atmosphere suffused with hatred and fear, a major archaeological find sets forces in motion that lead to shattering losses for the women. To survive, they must forge ties among family and friends and draw strength from centuries-old traditions.A dramatic, finely-woven tale filled with riveting historical detail, Reading the Knots is set at a pivotal time in Latin American history, when the democratic government of Jacobo Arbenz came to a violent and tragic end.

384 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2020

About the author

Susan Garzon grew up in Iowa City, a bookish kid in a community of writers. All the stories she read propelled her to see the world, as did her mother, who had served as a WAVE in World War II. In 1973, she went to Chile to teach English, arriving in time to witness both the U.S.-backed coup that brought down Salvador Allende and the brutal repression that followed. Later, she taught English as a Foreign Language in Honduras, then studied linguistics and anthropology at the graduate level, carrying out field work in a small town in southern Mexico and in a larger Mayan community in highland Guatemala. After several years of teaching at the university level, she began writing the story that would become Reading the Knots. She is currently retired and lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three cats.

Reviews

[Marilyn Saul · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't really put my finger on why this book didn't wow me. There was nothing irritating about the writing style, the characters were ok (though I didn't really LIKE any of them), the ending seemed improbable (not the knot part, but the Patricia part). Maybe it's just that Patricia irked me throughout. The archaeology was just so-so (but as an archaeologist, I would be more critical than the average reader). I think most readers would probably really like this book, and if one is unfamiliar with the US-led coup in Guatemala during that time, one will glean a glimpse of what was going on, though its presentation was not very cohesive.

[Diana Corbitt]

This is a different book for me, but I really enjoyed it. There are 3 main characters. A young Guatemalan Indian girl, a rich white girl whose dad is a mean old German immigrant who owns a lot of land and feels entitled to more, and an American woman married to a Hispanic archaeologist who is excavating the remains of an old village, which doesn't make the natives happy. It takes place back in the 60s, so we got lots of great background on the crazy politics of the times, but what I liked best is how the lives of all 3 intertwine. Very absorbing.

[Donna J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving and Descriptively Rich

Susan Garzon’s story of three very different women in 1950’s Guatemala had me enthralled from beginning to end - each woman’s story intertwined with the tensions between classes, races, political and religious understandings of that time.
Her descriptions of the characters and surroundings created a vision of a country of which I know very little. Most of all, I am intrigued to know more about what happens in these women’s lives in years to come. Perhaps a sequel?

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. It was interesting to read about the state of Guatemala right before the revolution. In fact, I wanted to read more about the political and social aspect. The dig was interesting and I learned a bit about archeology. The 2 lady's stories were a little extreme and unrealistic.

[Gillian Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the Knots is a multi-layer story set in Guatemala in the politically charged 1950s. It follows the changing lives of three very different women dealing with traumatic events. As well as finding the characters interesting, I enjoyed learning about the politics of a region largely unknown to me. The archeological aspects of the story are also informative, particularly concerning the discovery of a Quipu, a knotted string, important to the Indians as a way to keep records.
Definitely a good read, hopefully to be followed by a sequel telling how the lives of the main characters turn out.