Esperanza's Box of Saints - by Maria Amparo Escandon (Paperback)

About the Book

"Like Water for Chocolate" meets "Candide" in this stunning debut novel about a beautiful young widow's search for her missing child--a magical, humorous, and passion-filled odyssey that takes her from a humble Mexican village to the brothels of Tijuana and the streets of Los Angeles.

Book Synopsis

From the author of L.A. Weather comes a magical, humorous, and passion-filled odyssey about a beautiful young widow's search for her missing child--a mission that takes her from a humble Mexican village to the rowdy brothels of Tijuana and a rarely seen side of Los Angeles.

Rescued from turmoil by her favorite saint, Esperanza embarks on a journey that tests her faith, teaches her the ways of the world, and transforms her from a fervently religious innocent to an independent, sexual, and passionately devout woman.

"Esperanza's Box of Saints fills our souls with colors and flavors, but more importantly with a sense of genuine, heartfelt candor, born from true faith. With a smile on our face and a pang in our heart, we find renewed hope in Esperanza's quest." --Laura Esquivel, author of Like Water for Chocolate

"The saints in María Amparo Escandón's novel take us on a journey that explores the nature of sin and absolution, the pain of loss, and the resurrection of desire...an enormously compassionate work about a woman who wrestles with her own faith and emerges victorious." --John Sayles

​"A sweet and entertaining novel by an inventive writer." --Oscar Hijuelos

​"A highly original, beautifully written, and heartwarming tale." --Tony Hillerman

From the Back Cover

Esperanza's Box of Saints is a magical, humorous, and passion-filled odyssey about a beautiful young widow's search for her missing child - a mission that takes her from a humble Mexican village to the rowdy brothels of Tijuana and a rarely seen side of Los Angeles. Rescued from turmoil by her favorite saint, Esperanza embarks on a journey that tests her faith, teaches her the ways of the world, and transforms her from a fervently religious innocent to an independent, sexual, and passionately devout woman.

Review Quotes

"[Escandón] takes us on a spirited journey at once poignant and hilarious. May the Saints bless the innocence and courage of Esperanza Diaz, the novel's inimitable hero, who winds her way through the world toward independence. May the Saints preserve her wit, tenacity, and passion." --Sandra Benitez

"Esperanza's Box of Saints fills our souls with colors and flavors, but more importantly with a sense of genuine, heartfelt candor, born from true faith. With a smile on our face and a pang in our heart, we find renewed hope in Esperanza's quest." --Laura Esquivel

"A fascinating world where the mystical and the mundane collide...funny, offbeat, and bold...definitely a new landmark in Latin American literature." --Jorge Ramos anchor, Univision Network

"A haunting and hunting tale of spiritual self-discovery wherein a searcher and the object of her search are one and the same. María Amparo Escandón writes with enviable assurance and deceitful simplicity. Her style is all about sight, belief, and memory. And her tale is miraculous: it has the weight of a myth and the beauty of a legend." --Ilan Stavans

"A highly original, beautifully written, and heartwarming tale." --Tony Hillerman

"A stunning commentary on religion and sex." --Rudolfo Anaya

"A sweet and entertaining novel by an inventive writer." --Oscar Hijuelos

"Here is a Mexican woman's take on the Odyssean tale: a mother looking for a daughter, guided by a Saint's image on a grime-drenched glass oven door...this motherlove keeps Esperanza from losing her conscience, her beauty, and the purity of her soul. I admire Escandón's telling, a seduction in itself."--Luis Rodriguez

"The saints in María Amparo Escandón's novel take us on a journey that explores the nature of sin and absolution, the pain of loss, and the resurrection of desire...an enormously compassionate work about a woman who wrestles with her own faith and emerges victorious." --John Sayles

"This novel introduces us to many saints in heaven, and the more interesting--and struggling--saints-in-the-making right here on earth. A charming and compassionate fable." --Carolyn See

About the Author

Born in Mexico, Maria Amparo Escandon now lives in Los Angeles. She teaches writing at UCLA Extension, and her stories have been published in many magazines.