This is a tale of Caridad a former slave
girl and Milagros a gypsy girl. The
story details differences in their coming of age years as well as their
cultures. But most of all it is a tale of an enduring
friendship through misunderstandings, sufferings, separation, and strife.
Caridad arrives in Spain after her
master dies onboard ship. With no way to
support herself she is mislead by “benefactor” who quickly uses her as means to
gain money through prostituting her.
Caridad is eventually rescued from this ordeal by an elderly gypsy who
is Milagros grandfather.
Milagros has been taught the art of
seductive dance while keeping herself chaste.
This is as strict rule among the gypsies and she steps over the bounds
when she dances too close to a rival gypsy’s young man. This one misstep leads to many years of
sorrow and hardache for Milagros and her family.
Amidst this family turmoil comes the
persecution of gypsies from the Catholic Church and Spanish government. Milagros parents are thrown in prison for not
adhering to church mandates. Gypsies are
rounded up because of the unsubstantiated view that their practice of telling
fortunes is unholy and that they are thieves.
Much prejudice abounds for those who do not understand the culture of
the gypsies.
A surprising hero arises in young Fray
Joaquin who tries to protect the gypsies in his parish. He heals rifts among the gypsies, accepts
their ways and beliefs of the gypsies and tries to prevent their persecution.
The beauty of the friendship between
Caridad and Milagros is ruined by the multiple graphic scenes of sexual abuse
and sexual violence throughout the book.
I acquired this book free from the
publishers and was not required to write a positive review.
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