The Face Behind the Veil

By Flora Reigada

Unfolding in old New York, The Face Behind The Veil contains three overlapping sections: Naomi's Story, Rebecca's Story and Enter Teresa. Like curtains in a majestic, old movie theater, the curtains of this generational saga begin to part as Naomi is born with the mysterious birth veil over her face. To some this was a sign of a prophet. To others it was merely part of the amniotic sac. And what connection was there with the otherworldly visitor that the child would later meet? Naomi's mother believed her daughter would understand great mysteries. Indeed--and she would do so against the backdrop of unfolding history. The Great Depression would bring poverty, hobos and even the Grim Reaper to her family's door. World War II would see love lost and love found. Naomi's daughter, Rebecca, inherits not only her mother's physical DNA, but her spiritual DNA as well. Her penetrating green eyes seem to look through walls and into hearts. She names her daughter Teresa, after the ancient mystic, Saint Teresa of Avila. Like her namesake, Teresa walks a beautiful but treacherous path. This brings the story to modern times and a Victorian mansion where past meets present, good confronts evil and the mystery of the veil is revealed.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1418443646
• ISBN13: 9781418443641
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Length: 628 Pages
• Weight: 1.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 5.0" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

From a man who loves this book

Naomi is born with a membrane, known as a birth veil, covering her face. Some believe it to be a sign of second-sight. Here is a multi-generation family story that has the reader feeling like part of the family. Four generations cover a lot of living, and the author expertly captures its highs and lows. The mysticism concerning the veil stays mostly in the background, surfacing just often enough to keep the reader guessing about its significance. The book has everything, love and hate, kindness and cruelty, hope and despair. The characters are quite believable. I have no trouble giving The Face Behind the Veil the highest rating.

Thumbs up

As someone who reads historical novels, I give this book an enthusiastic thumbs up. Whether in a vintage movie theater, a victorian home, or at the celebration in New York City's Times Square when WWII ended, it made 20th century America come alive. Also, for an older person like me, the book's large print was a big plus.

A fascinating read

This book is so vividly written that I felt like I was right there in different times and places with the three main characters, who represent three generations: Naomi: World War II's "Greatest Generation," Rebecca, the "hippie generation" and Teresa, today's young woman. In the book, I traveled with them as they explored the mysteries and secrets of the coveted birth veil. The quest "took us" to a vintage theater, a haunted Victorian mansion and a castle in Spain. I even joined beautiful young Teresa as she went to sea in a cabin cruiser, and fought with a maniac during a violent storm. Right up to its surprise ending, I couldn't put this book down. I heartily recommend it.