Lacis 440 Fall 2011

Awesome for the authenticity of its vernacular style and the incandescence of its lyricism, One Day of Life depicts a typical day in the life of a peasant family caught up in the terror and corruption of civil war in El Salvador.

5:30 A.M. in Chalate, a small rural town: Lupe, the grandmother of the Guardado family and the central figure of the novel, is up and about doing her chores. By 5:00 P.M. the plot of the novel has been resolved, with the Civil Guard's search for and interrogation of Lupe's young granddaughter, Adolfina. Told entirely from the perspective of the resilient women of the Guardado family, One Day of Life is not only a disturbing and inspiring evocation of the harsh realities of peasant life in El Salvador after fifty years of military exploitation; it is also a mercilessly accurate dramatization of the relationship of the peasants to both the state and the church.

Translated from the Spanish by Bill Brow

El Salvador, the smallest Hispanic country in the Western Hemisphere, has had a lion's share of international attention due to civil war of the 1980s. Culture and Customs of El Salvador is the best source for an authoritative, intriguing narrative overview of a country with an embattled history, from wars to devastating earthquakes. Students and general readers will find a sympathetic portrayal of the land, history, people, economy, religion, education, traditional culture and popular entertainment, literature, media, and the arts. This volume is crucial to understanding Salvadorans today and also the large numbers of Salvadoran immigrants who now live in the United States.

El Salvador has been marginalized in Latin America and is still little-known outside of this region. Culture and Customs of El Salvador emphasizes the mixture of indigenous and Spanish heritage that colors the society. Boland brings special insight to the essential topics, from history to the arts. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos enhance the text. As an up-to-date survey, the book brims with optimism for a better future with social, economic, and environmental reforms. This volume is crucial to understanding Salvadorans today and also the large numbers of Salvadoran immigrants who now live in the United States.