Jesusita + Giveaway




Book Details:

Book Title:  Jesusita by Ronald L. Ruiz
Category:  Adult fiction, 275 pages
Genre:  Literary
Publisher:  Amika Press
Release date:  May 2015
Available for review in:  Print, ebook (mobi for Kindle) other
Will send print books:  USA & Canada
Tour dates:  Nov 2 to 2, 2015
Content Rating:  R  (There are subject matters of physical and sexual abuse in this novel as well as prostitution.)

Book Description:  

Jesusita is the story of immigrants—legal and illegal—trying to survive in California in the years after World War II. Jesusita, alone and impoverished, struggles to keep her four young children together. Though she finds support from Padre Montes at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, her faith won’t solve her problems, especially those with her daughter, Paulina. Far from home, Filipino laborers are denied by law any contact with white women. Angie, the young daughter of an illiterate and unmarried mother, knows only one way to make money. And Felix, abandoned by his mother and separated from his only brother, is placed in a foster home on an isolated ranch. The interrelated lives of these people provide a complex, sometimes violent, and often tragic image of American poverty within the nation’s postwar boom.

Buy the book:    Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble

Praise for the work of Ronald L. Ruiz:

“The sparse, simple prose lets the story tell itself… The supporting characters are briefly but fully drawn… Few readers will be able to forget the chilling experiences of a forlorn hero who’s destined to take his place next to Bigger Thomas (of Richard Wright’s Native Son) in the honor roll of seminal characters in American literature.”
–Publishers Weekly (featured review) on Happy Birthday Jesús





Meet the author:  

Ronald L. Ruiz is the author of a memoir, A Lawyer (2012), and three previous novels—Happy Birthday Jesús (1994), Giuseppe Rocco (1998), and The Big Bear (2003). Born and raised in Fresno, California, Ron was educated at St. Mary's College, California, University of California, Berkeley, and University of San Francisco. He practiced law from 1966 to 2003 as a Deputy District Attorney, a criminal defense attorney, and a Deputy Public Defender. He was appointed to the California Agriculture Labor Relations Board by Governor Jerry Brown in 1974 and later served as the District Attorney of Santa Cruz County, California.

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Facebook


My Review

I was intrigued to check this book out but then when I picked it up to start reading it, I started having second thoughts. I had my mind made up that I was going to have to tolerate this book as I had committed to reading it. This is one of those books that you can't judge but the book cover or back summary. The reason for this is because I had an amazing good time reading this book. I instantly felt a strong emotional connection with everyone in this book.

Although I will warn you that the reason that this book worked so well is because it was "raw". Filled with drama, sex, religion, family, abuse, and heartache. As the story progresses it does get darker with all of the characters and the experiences they encounter. So if you are looking for a good book to read then you should check this book out.




 
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Comments

Amika Press said…
Thank you for reviewing Jesusita today! We agree, the characters are all emotionally real and sympathetic. Something in their brutal circumstances really highlights their humanity.

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