{"product_id":"the-fifth-sun-9781931896054","title":"The Fifth Sun","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWinner of the 3rd Annual Miguel Mármol Prize from Curbstone Press, Mary Helen Lagasse's \u003ci\u003eThe Fifth Sun\u003c\/i\u003e is an inspiring story of an immigrant who struggles valiantly for a better life for herself and her family. The young Mexican woman, Mercedes, leaves her village to work as a housemaid in New Orleans. This fast-paced novel takes her through her adventures in New Orleans, her marriage, her struggle to raise her children, her deportation, and her attempt to re-cross the river and be reunited with her children.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"We share in the struggle of Mercedes Vasconcelos—of Jesse and Manuela, as well—who leave their birthplace in search of another life. This is a must read—a journey of self-knowledge and heroism told in lyrical prose.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—Shirley Ann Grau, author of \u003ci\u003eKeepers of the House \u003c\/i\u003e(1993 Pulitzer Prize winner)|\"Mary Helen Lagasse has woven a tapestry of many colors in her novel about Mercedes, the Mexican girl whose life is like a blood-red thread that weaves its way through the intricate design representing an early twentieth century Mexican-American experience . . . From her determination to not merely exist, allowing herself to be carried by the currents of El Destino, but to live fully, and to create a home for her family out of the meager resources in her environment, Mercedes is a trooper, a proto-feminist. Her journey is the hero's journey—the path to enlightenment, with each hurdle she encounters increasing her self-knowledge and strength of character.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—Judtih Orttiz Cofer, judge for the 2004 Mármol Prize\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Curbstone Press,U.S.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51864208933207,"sku":"9781931896054","price":17.06,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781931896054.jpg?v=1759921722","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-fifth-sun-9781931896054","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}