Review by Elizabeth Gamble Miller

An eight-year old’s sense of responsibility as head of the family of four children orphaned and separated in 1911 proves an awe-inspiring adventure. The stories Carmen’s father, Daniel Corrales, tells her during her life and before his death in 1987, are heart-warming, intimate, and full of surprises, emotion, and hope.

Daniel makes his way walking, working, learning multiple skills, from baking to carpentry, finding the path through Mexico to the United States to Nebraska to his younger sisters and back to Mazatlan, Mexico, to rescue his little brother and finally unite his family.

The reading is pleasurable. The story is told in the immediate present. As a result the reader is not distanced, and the characters come to life. The reader may feel tears emerging but not from sentimentality, from true emotion.

The author doesn’t receive credits for the beautiful painting that is the cover of the publication. The image of the well and the pathway between cultivated fields on either side of the inclined path up to the house is extraordinarily beautiful and appropriate. She is an artist as well as a storyteller.

The story is true and unique; the style of telling reflects the immigrant’s unusual expression, which at times uses metaphors from Spanish: such as “the big goat, “ for an epithet, which in fact means a “son of a bitch” in English, but is in Spanish may also be endearing or in fun, in this case referring to a brother or friend. The reading of the story is touching and enjoyable.

Photographs are a nice addition to the story.

“From Carmen’s Notes,” which serves as an epilog, inspirational quotes from her father include: “Never, never give up for what you want in life. There’s no human worse than you, we just walk different paths during our time here on Earth.’ … “You will not find a richer man in the possessions he has, but in the simplicity in which he lives.” “Make every day a beautiful day. That is your choice. That is your quest!”

I close with Carmen’s last words: ”This book is not only to give some details of his life but also to show that there is indeed hope. There may be readers from different cultures, who are struggling through life, thinking there’s no way out. There’s always a way out!”