Rain of Gold

By: Victor Villaseñor

Narrated by: Johnny Rey Diaz

Rain of Gold is a true-life saga of love, family and destiny that pulses with bold vitality, sweeping from the war-ravaged Mexican mountains of Pancho Villa's revolution to the days of Prohibition in California.

It all began when Villaseñor’s maternal grandmother sat him down in their little home in the barrio of Carlsbad, California, gave him sweet bread and told him the story of their past. Of his mother Lupe, the most beautiful girl in the whole village who was only a child when Villa's men came shooting into their canyon. And of his father Juan and his family, reduced to rags and starvation as they sought refuge across the border, where they believed that endless opportunity awaited.

Lupe and Juan met and fell in love in California, but they found that the doors to the Promised Land were often closed to those from south of the border. His father was forced to take the law into his own hands, in spite of his wife's objections. With love and humor, Villaseñor shares this passionate love story that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit.

An all-American story of struggle and success, Rain of Gold focuses on three generations of Villaseñor’s kin, their spiritual and cultural roots back in Mexico, their immigration to California and overcoming poverty, prejudice and economic exploitation. It is the warm-hearted and spirited account of the wily, wary and persevering forebears of Victor Villaseñor.

©1991 Victor Edmundo Villaseñor. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"...a grand and vivid history...[Villasenor's] characters are keenly drawn.... Often I felt like a family member quietly watching from a corner stool." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Villasenor is a born storyteller, and this Latino Roots...is a gripping inspirational epic full of wild adventure, bootlegging, young love, miracles, tragedies, murder and triumph over cultural barriers." (Publishers Weekly)

"The brisk, down-to-earth prose sweeps the reader through often fantastic events in a compelling narrative. This is a big book, but one that moves swiftly. It is a story that deserves to be told, bringing to life a cultural heritage of all Americans." (The Washington Post)

Thank you Victor again!

I first read this book in 1994 and I was so moved and brought to tears and today I’m still moved to tears as I listened to this book. I thought of my own parents and grandparents and uncles and aunts from Mexico and all of the stories my father and mother would tell me of their childhood. I cried and cried thinking of my parents and the beautiful life they lived and gave me and my siblings. I would highly recommend this book to everyone especially those of you who love rich history of their families. Vallen con Dios- Cynthia Gandara

Loved it!!!

I read this book 20 years ago in high school and listening to it again felt like a renewal of spirit

One of the best

Compelling and amazing book, excellent narration. One of the best audiobooks, great for a southwest road trip.

Family, Love and Immigration

must read for every Latino growing up in Southern California. beautiful story about family and the struggles of immigrants. the love story is sweet.

My favorite book

Ive loved this book since I read it in high school. It’s been so nice to revisit it over 10 years later and its even better than I remember. This book fills me with so much warmth and love as if these were my own ancestors.

Beautiful.

I don’t even like fiction, but this was incredible, and it’s not really fiction either.

A Book of Pure Genius

I've read the book three times; read it to my children when they were young and then gave it to mi familia and some friends.

All of us 1st, 2nd & yes even 3rd generation Mexican Americans loved it.

It is our story too.

Written from the heart and full of the beauty, intelligence, struggle and soulfulness of mi gente. I only wish they would have chosen UNA MUJERE as the narrator!!! This is a memoir where women are central throughout!!!

On that point, and only that point, it was a disappointment.

My absolute favorite story!

I read this back In college and it instantly became my favorite book. I have been wanting to re read for so long so I was so happy when I saw that it was on audible. The story was even better than how I remembered it. The narrator Johnny Rey Diaz did an amazing job reading the story and portraying the characters too!

AMAZING

You will not be disappointed, it was a fantastic journey! It was fun getting to know all the characters and at the end knowing who helped him piece together this wonderful story!!!

Wow! A masterpiece.

Historical and charming and down to earth real. A true classic tale of the Mexican struggles and success in America.