The House of Broken Angels
United States

The House of Broken Angels

by Luis Alberto Urrea

Family & Heritage Historical Fiction 2019

Summary

In The House of Broken Angels, Luis Alberto Urrea tells the story of the De La Cruz family as they gather in San Diego to celebrate the seventy-first birthday of patriarch Big Angel and the final days of their beloved matriarch, Mamá América. Over one emotionally charged weekend, siblings, children, grandchildren, and extended relatives come together, bringing unresolved conflicts, old memories, and complicated relationships to the surface. As Big Angel reflects on his life, he confronts his Mexican heritage, his experiences as an immigrant, and the legacy he will leave behind. Blending humor, grief, and tenderness, Urrea portrays the complexities of Mexican American identity and the bonds that hold families together across generations. The novel celebrates the resilience of immigrant communities while exploring mortality, belonging, cultural heritage, and the enduring power of family love.

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Country
United States
North America
About the author
Luis Alberto Urrea
Luis Alberto Urrea

Luis Alberto Urrea is a Mexican American novelist, poet, and essayist known for his powerful explorations of immigration, border identity, family, and the complexities of Mexican American life. Born in Tijuana, Mexico, in 195 ur4 to a Mexican father and an American mother, he grew up navigating the cultural worlds of both countries. His work often draws on personal experience and historical events to illuminate the lives of people living between nations and cultures. His notable books include The Devil’s Highway (2004), a nonfiction account of a group of Mexican migrants crossing the Arizona desert, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and The Hummingbird’s Daughter (2005), a historical novel inspired by the life of his great-aunt, a Mexican folk saint. Through his vivid storytelling and humanistic perspective, Urrea explores the resilience, struggles, and connections that define life along the US–Mexico border.

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Details
Published
2019
Author
Luis Alberto Urrea