Rating: 
Summary: A Divine Book, I want more!!
Review: I had to read this book for school, and I took one look at how thick it was and figured I would just skim through it. Little did I know I would put aside my other homework so that I could spend more time with this book! I LOVED IT! I wish I could find 100 books more of this nature! It is very educational and a FABULOUS tale. Villasenor is an amazing writer, he is very talented at telling the story of his grandparents, I have read the book twice, and cant wait to read it again. BUY THIS BOOK and SHARE IT with EVERYONE you know!! I was ENTHRALLED with the discriptions of the hardships the family endured, and the REALness of their spirit. This book makes me feel like a BETTER person, just by reading it, it puts you into a different place. ITs like a favorite vacation spot, and everytime I read it, its like going on vacation to some place wonderful!
Rating: 
Summary: Huge Disappointment
Review: This is the first time I disagree so totally with the other reviewers after buying this book based on the outstanding reviews I'd read here. This is the story of several generations of a Mexican family that emigrated to the United States when their village life was destroyed by corporate oppression, and it is the author's own family history, presented as a work of non-fiction. It really seemed like my kind of a book.My problem is with the style of writing, at first I thought I was just reading an extremely bad translation but quickly realized the book was written in English!!... I read through the first 80 pages or so, then scanned every 3rd or 4th paragraph to the end of the book. I'd suggest reading a couple of the sample pages before making a purchase (try page 13). Usually I love detail in historical fiction but this was just too many slow, tedious descriptions of the most mundane events, the word "the" used way, way too much, every noun with an adjective the favorites being "big" and "little". This story would have been better told if half the words in the book were removed. I'd consider giving this book a higher rating if it was listed in the young readers section. It might also be a good choice for who speak English as a second language.
Rating:
Summary: Now I Understand my Mexican Heritage
Review: Enchanting as any epic novel, this true history of two families who fought their way north from different towns during the Mexican revolution and then had to keep fighting to make a living in a society prejudiced against them held me spellbound the whole time I was reading it. Victor Villasenor presents this amazing history in simple language laced with gorgeous superlatives that carries the reader along in breathless anticipation. I now understand my Mexican heritage better. I now know:
-Why my maternal grandmother said, "Pancho Villa was not a hero; he was a thief!"
-Why her parents hid their daughters when the Villistas rode into their ranch in Sonora
-Why my mother has memories from Calexico and Mexicali of schoolmates' parents not letting them play with Mexican kids
-Why my grandfather was demoted from his good job at an aircraft factory in San Diego in the 1950's when a prejudiced new supervisor took over his department
- Why, after hours spent with my grandmother in my childhood, I feel so affectionate toward Our Lady of Guadalupe and so much in awe of my grandmother's seemingly mystical knowledge about life. The other side of my family came from Ireland and Germany. Much attention is being focused on documenting the "Ellis Island" experience. "Rain of Gold" is the story of immigrants who didn't cross an ocean to get here, but whose journey was just as arduous. Bravo, Mr. Villasenor!
Rating:
Summary: Rain of Gold
Review: Very moving history of two families who battle to stay alive during the Mexican Revolution. Migrating to the United States, the families found they had left a place of physical pain and entered into another type of battle. Prejudice, slander and non acceptance was (is) the continued battle migrants are faced with. The mothers of these two families were the "axles" of the wheel that held them together. It is truly sad that the battle these families faced continue to rage today. The spiritual relationship Victor's grandmother had with her religion made me smile and cry at the same time. Excellent reading.
Rating:
Summary: Rain of Gold
Review: Many reviewers make the major error of assuming this is a novel . . . a work of fiction. NOT TRUE!!! This is a family history written with a delightful sense of candor . . . in great detail where the family stories have warranted and with rifle bullet speed when only the big picture is known. Ever repeating multiple generation themes of family love, raw naked sin, persecution, racial prejudice, forgiveness, redemption, vindication are woven into an incredibly beautiful famly tapestry. This is a Mexican-American masterpiece that should be required reading for high school seniors and/or college freshmen. This is what America is all about. The hatred, prejudice, overcoming, and peace making are NOT unique to Hispanics . . . with very few changes this could be the experience of the Italians, Irish, Jews , Greeks, Poles, Russians, Vietnamese, or any other major immigrant group. The redemptive power in the family's final victory is very inspiring. I first read (and loved) this book when it was first released 10 years ago. I was compelled by curiosity to reread it in late 2002. It is even better than I remembered! Thanks, Victor
Rating:
Summary: The wise women
Review: Reading this book was a feast for the mind, the heart and the soul. About two-thirds of the way through I found myself mourning the fact that it would end. And mourn it I did after I finished the last page, closed the book and held it to my chest in breathless silence. Many of the reviews listed here regale the beauty with which it was written, the rich history it embodies, and the values it imparts, but none touch on the aspect that swept me into its pages. While this story is about the family, it is the stalwart women, who evolve into the elderly matriarchs of the family, whose wisdom anchor it in its humanity. The mothers are honored for their unique and powerful place in the family. Their stories and their words offer guidance and comfort that is timeless and as applicable today as they were within the context of the story. For this reason, I recommend that when you read Rain of Gold, you do so from a copy that you own, so you can mark the words of wisdom that touch you -- you will want to reference them again and again -- and thereby honor these women in your own life.
Rating:
Summary: I'm so fortunate this was a required read
Review: I took a Mexican-American History class and this was required reading for us. I am so fortunate that it was. This book made me understand in complete detail the reasons that some moved to the United States. It made me stop and think of the struggles that the Mexican-Americans were forced to endure to establish themselves in the US. Beautiful written. A page turner from page 1!
Rating:
Summary: I Loved Rain of Gold
Review: I felt like I was a part of the book. I was required to read it for a class, I was so into it that I read much faster then was neccessary and am planning on reading it again. I thought that the story was written in a wonderful fashion and that the outline was wonderful in keeping the reader engaged and excited. I would recommend that many different types of people read this book and that they try to get through it even if they are discouraged at the beginnning.
Rating:
Summary: A True Masterpiece
Review: This book was so intriguing that I was nearly unable to put it down. The author does a spectacular job of weaving the tragedy of the Mexican Revolution with the little humors of day-to-day life. I think his book, more than any other, has helped me to better understand what life must have been like during those terrible times. It is an absolute MUST READ for anyone interested in the history of Mexico or the history of her people. I can't wait to read the sequel!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!!!
Review: This book definitely captures the true beauty of the Mexican people and their hard times during the Mexican Revolution. The author, Victor Villaseñor, presents us with the life stories of his mother and father's families' way of life during the time period of the revolution. What caught my attention the most, was the way Villaseñor illustrated the hardships of his family and the positive attitudes that they took towards every situation that they were placed in. The importance of keeping the Mexican traditions is present through out the book and it's a wonderful way to get inside the lives of poor, but humble Mexican people. The language Villaseñor chose to use was great because it was simple and straightforward. The use of Spanish phrases from time to time was a great help for truly understanding what these people were like. It's also a good source for realizing the point of view of what was happening at this time from both the Mexican and the American sides. Although, in my opinion, this book is somewhat biased to Mexicans; it doesn't show much appreciation for the Americans. I would absolutely recommend this book, especially if you like learning about cultures while learning a bit about history at the same time.
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