about the book

MAGNIFICAT: Under the Guanacaste Tree tells the stories of two women from different backgrounds and class statuses who find themselves fighting their personal and societal battles in this riveting saga about inequality, oppression, misogyny, and the power of love. Set in the fictional war-torn country of Ixcheltlán, the narrative takes readers through the deserts and jungles of Mexico and Central America, exposing them to the wretched poverty and heartbreaking violence of those volatile southern regions that play such a role in the formation of these women’s consciousnesses. 

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Sara, a Canadian woman, embarks on a long trek by bus, boat, and on foot to save her eleven-year-old daughter, who has enigmatically reached out to her with a plea for help. During her journey, she is shocked by the poverty, hopelessness, and violence that confronts her. When she finally reaches Ixcheltlán, she begins to serve the poor with other women who are just as passionate about justice and freedom for the marginalized.

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Through her contacts, Sara learns of the work and wisdom of the campesina peace-maker Maria Luz, a poor woman with a rich vision for equality, who desires to bring freedom to her people through a message of peace and reconciliation. Eventually, the shadow of death descends on them both, threatening to destroy all they have set out to accomplish. 

Suspenseful and impactful, MAGNIFICAT: Under the Guanacaste Tree will keep readers guessing to the very end.