I selected this book from the library bookshelf because of the startling pink color on the spine and the Oxahacan-like figures on the cover. I decided to read it after flipping it open randomly and feeling swept away by Escandón's writing.

The story begins soon after Esperanza's daughter dies under mysterious circumstances. Esperanza is visited by an apparition of her favorite saint, who tells her that her daughter, Blanca, is not dead. Her search for Blanca begins in their village (Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Mexico) but soon takes her to the brothels of Tijuana and the underbelly of Los Angeles. Her ideas of religion, sexuality and love are tested and reformed as she searches for her daughter. Esperanza is devoutly Catholic, but her religion is one that few priests or bishops would recognize.

There are so many things to love about this book. I love Esperanza. Her faith, both in her religious ideals and in herself are inspiring. She is strong in ways that no one expects. She pursues her quest single-mindedly, even when some tempting distractions are offered to her. I love the way Escandón uses color as a character. Color blooms where there is passion -- real passion, not lust or need. I love the language. There are some passages that don't add to Esperanza's story, but that are so delightful to read, I didn't care that they were extraneous. And I really love the ending. As I read the last 20 pages, I wanted to get up and dance -- and I wasn't listening to any music. The only thing that kept me from leaping up was my desire to find out what happens to everyone in the end. And the ending made me laugh out loud. It was perfect without being predictable.