Fiction. A DAUGHTER'S A DAUGHTER follows three generations of women in a family, beginning with Liberata, the only daughter of the most prosperous farmer in Los Rafas. When she decides to marry a handsome opportunist, Liberata expects to live out a happy life along the traditional course set forth by her forebears, but discovers that her husband is abusive and unfaithful. Liberata communicates her distrust of men to her daughter, Maria, who instead follows her mother's example of living obediently and traditionally. The cycle persists until Maria's daughter Irene breaks free. In the process, she discovers and learns to value her Chicano roots and rebels against the oppressive gender roles of the previous generations.

Author Hometown: SANTA FE, NM USA



About the author: Nash Candelaria has been described as the historical novelist of the Hispanic people of New Mexico. His five novels, hailed as landmarks in Hispanic literature, include MEMORIES OF THE ALHAMBRA, a seminal novel in Chicano literature; NOT BY THE SWORD, an American Book Award winner; INHERITANCE OF STRANGERS; LEONOR PARK; and A DAUGHTER'S A DAUGHTER. His short stories have appeared in a number of literary magazines and anthologies as well as in two collections: THE DAY THE CISCO KID SHOT JOHN WAYNE and UNCIVIL RIGHTS AND OTHER STORIES. His most recent publication is the memoir SECOND COMMUNION. He and his wife live in Santa Fe, New Mexico.