The Treasure of Sergeant Gutierrez

By Krystyna Rodriguez

Book Overview

Two generations, two wars, and three cultures intertwine in the southwest United States, Mexico, and Italy as as a Mexican-American family struggles to define itself in The Treasure of Sergeant Guiterrez. Fortunata feels like a tumbleweed without her children but knows what spirit flows through their veins. After all, as a teenager, Fortunata left home to fight beside Pancho Villa in the Mexican Revolution. Fortunata's son, Francisco, born during his mother's days as a Villista, carries two cultures and two languages into World War II as part of an exclusively Mexican-American infantry. Her daughter, Rub?, the product of Fortunata'slove for a Tarahumara Indian, joins a traveling band and falls in love with a zoot-suited musician. Meanwhile, in Chihuahua, Mexico, Fortunata's brother, Pablo, and his family maintain ties with the Tarahumara Indians and with Robrika, Rub?'s father. Pablo's daughter, Mercedes, is following in her Aunt Fortunata's footsteps with her rebellious ways as family history begins to repeat itself. The Treasure of Sergeant Gutierrez chronicles family stories on both sides of the Rio Grande, where bloodlines are stronger than borders.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595476341
• ISBN13: 9780595476343
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 236 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The Treasure of Sergeant Gutierrez

As editor of The T-Patcher Quarterly, a newsletter of the 36th Infantry Division Association, I received a copy of this book from the author and read it cover to cover. Ms. Rodriguez captured the feel of the era in which these young men grew up and went to war. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

great characters

I ordered this book to support a fellow teacher, and ended up falling in love with the characters and storyline. I loved the exploration of not only family ties but also infantry ties. Siete, Indio, Mercedes, and Veronique hopefully will live on in more stories!