Cultural Writing. Latino/Latina Studies. Bilingual. Translation from the Spanish by Carl I. Jubran. One of the most famous female Mexican authors today, Cerda writes from Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, and this text (twice, in English and Spanish) "is a testimonial novel, a vigorous denouncement, valiantly and terrifyingly shocking. It registers on two levels: as a dcoumentary taken from the local reports from radio, television and newspapers, and as fiction, in which, imaginary characters represent different sectors of the stratified society of Guadalajara" - Victor Manuel Cuellar Luna. The tragedy of a gas leak in the sewer system of Guadalajara in 1992, in the year of its 450th anniversary is recounted here.