Book summary

In this eloquent and evocative novel, Lily Martinez is almost due to give birth to her first child when she has a bad fall, requiring her to remain in bed for the remainder of her pregnancy. Her family gathers to support her, and together they hold prayer sessions and begin to share the stories of the most profound events of their lives. Gradually, the individual tales intertwine, forming a portrait not only of the family, but of the nation of Venezuela, which has been marked by turmoil, turbulence, and revolution. As Lily ponders the future of the soon-to-be newest member of her remarkable family, her mind constantly trickles back to the mystery of her former best friend Irene Dos Santos, who vanished while vacationing with the Martinez family years ago. Somewhere in the play between Lily's memory and the complex saga of her family lays the key to unlocking the enigma of Irene's disappearance.

Media reviews

"[T]his family epic is immersive; no character or event is left unexplored from multiple perspectives. Indeed, the conclusion is like the final piece of an intricate puzzle."