The Day of the Moon

by Graciela Limón

Fiction. Stark and resonant . . . Ms. Limon's prose is a self-assured and engrossing -- New York Times Book Review. In a dramatic new work, novelist Graciela Limon tells a story of forbidden loves: A tale that spans across the twentieth century, across the Southwest from Mexico to Los Angeles, across skin colors, across the sexes, across religious boundaries, across life and death, and across four generations of a family named Betancourt.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Graciela Limón is the author of eight widely read novels: In Search of Bernabé, The Memories of Ana Calderón, The Song of the Hummingbird, Day of the Moon, Erased Faces, Left Alive, The River Flows North and The Madness of Mamá Carlota. Her writing has received reviews from Publishers Weekly, library Journals and scholarly journals. The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Houston Chronicle and other leading newspapers have reviewed her work, as well as several anthologies. She was the recipient of the prestigious award for U.S. Literature: The Luis Leal Literary Award. The Los Angeles Times listed her as a notable writer for the year 1993. The Life of Ximena Godoy is due to be published in the spring of 2015. Graciela was born in Los Angeles, California, where she has resided until recently relocating to Simi Valley, California. Los Angeles plays a major role in many of her novels.

Reviews

[Kristine Brancolini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tonight I heard Graciela Limon speak about her fiction writing. In response to a question from the audience she cited author Juan Rulfo as one of inspirations. Limon admires his spare prose -- each word chosen for precise effect and meaning. This exactly describes the stylistic power of "The Day of the Moon." It is beautifully concise and laden with meaning.

The tragic story is told from the perspective of multiple characters: Don Flavio Betancourt; his daughter Isadora; Ursula Santiago,a servant in Don Flavio's house; Brigida Betancourt, Don Flavio's sister; and Alondra, Isadora's daughter. The novel primarily explores issues related to prejudice against Mexicans who are predominantly Indian on the part of Mexicans who are predominantly European. Don Flavio's father was Spanish, but his mother was an Indian from Jalisco. Don Flavio's feelings of shame regarding his mother's indigenous background lead to tragedy, when his daughter falls in love with Jeronimo, a gifted Indian runner known as El Raramuri.

"The Day of the Moon" is relatively short, but Limon purposely pared her novel down to its essence. She creates believable characters with a few brushstrokes. As she passes the storytelling from character to character, the reader learns a little more. Don Flavio may be the most thoroughly unsympathetic and despicable fictional character I have encountered, but his life is so empty and sad that it's difficult to hate him.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

La triste história del pasado de Alondra Santigo y su familia.

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Inside Flap: "They call it the Day of the Moon," he said . . . "During the night, when we're sleeping, our souls do wonderful, mysterious things with those who have gone on to the other side of the sierras. It is at this time that we make new songs and poems, and we discover who we love."

A dramatic tale of forbidden loves, cultural identity, bigotry, the Mexican class system, Mexican social and political history and the Betancourt family's day of reckoning. This story spans spans across the twentieth century, across the Southwest from Mexico to Los Angeles, across skin colors, across life and death, and across four generations. I loved it.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. I love stories like this that span over generations. Stories about finding your roots and the complexities of race and skin color, and how they impact a family. Stories about sins and forgiveness and learning from one's ancestors. Stories that feel soft and familiar, but that I treasure as I encounter for the first time.

[Deanna Shelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful read from one of LA's best Chicano authors. Her storytelling, plot line and fine points of political contention blend with modern and past cultures to deliver a well crafted, stunningly beautiful story.