Teresa Urrea was a Mexican girl with healing powers who was anointed to sainthood by her legion of followers. Whether or not she was a saint or a pawn in the Mexican Revolution is not important to the enjoyment of this book. It can be read as a beautiful story containing elements of Mexican history woven into an epic that mesmerizes the reader.

Urrea writes with skill and passion about his ancestors. The miracles Teresa is credited with may or may not be true, but her reputation gave such hope and courage to her followers that she was deemed a threat to the Diaz empire. Urrea recreates the suffering and spirit of the Mexican people in the 19th century in a way that magically embraces the reader. This is a book that I will be pondering for quite some time. ( )

Someone needs to explain to me why this book is great. I don't think it's even good. It's The Song of Bernadette for the 21st century, written in prose as flat and featureless as the deserts it describes.

So very, very, very not recommended. ( )

I didn't realize until that this was historical fiction until I got to the end and read the author's note. I did wonder though since the author's last name was the same as some characters in the book.

I thought it was a little long in some chapters, and I'm glad I have basic Spanish to understand some of the phrases that weren't translated, but I did enjoy it on the whole.

Although the book is centered around Teresa, who later became known as Santa Teresa of Cabora, and her development from a child under tutelage of Huila to a resurrected woman performing healing miracles, I really liked some of the other characters, her father, Aguirre the engineer, Secundo who became her protector, Beneventura her stepbrother and Cruz Chavez, all of whom added a great deal of color to the story.

In my opinion, her father, Don Tomas Urrea was one of the best characters in this book.

This review doesn't do the book a smidgeon of justice, but I'm finding it hard to review it without retelling the entire story. It's simple, and the richness of the character details are what really makes this story one that will sit with you for a while. ( )

It’s the early 1880’s, in Mexico, and a girl is born to a poor Indian worker. Her name is Terisita and her father is the rich landowner Don Tomas, although he is unaware of her birth. Early on she proves to be a “gifted child” and is taken in by the local healer, Huila, to learn the duties of midwifery. In her later teens, after a horrific event, she finds herself able to produce miracles. She quickly becomes Saint of Cabora or the Mexican Joan of Arc and thousands of people flock to the ranch, to witness and be cured. It is a dark time in Mexico, revolutions are brewing and there is rampant hunger and violence. This is a beautifully rich story, impeccably researched and populated with unforgettable characters. Enchanting and highly recommended! ( )

An excellent tale, made all the more amazing and interesting by the fact that it is true. The vivid portrayal of the setting put the me right there. What most captured me, however, was my empathy for all of the characters. I'm a bit too skeptical to believe the miracles but am willing to accept that Theresa was a amazing awe inspiring person. ( )