Synopses & Reviews
A riveting new novel from acclaimed author Kathleen Alcal, The Flower in the Skull begins in the Sonoran Desert in the late 19th century, where a village of Opata Indians is attacked by Mexican soldiers. Driven from family and homeland, Concha, a young woman from the village, makes her way alone to Tucson, where she gives birth. Through the stories of Concha and her daughter, and the related story of Shelly-- a Latina living in modern-day Los Angeles who is increasingly fascinated by her ancestry-- the author spins a powerful tale of heritage, loss, and acculturation. Her most lyrical and moving work yet, The Flower in the Skull is a vivid tale of beauty and bravery which stands perfectly apart even as it continues the epic begun with Spirits of the Ordinary.