New Mexico Trilogy - 1: The Milagro Beanfield War

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Joe Mondragon, a spirited hustler with a knack for trouble, stops his battered pickup and heads into a dry patch of land. Illegally tapping into the main irrigation channel, he ignites what would come to be known as the Milagro beanfield war. This conflict, however, is not marked by traditional victories but rather by tactical retreats. As the small farmers and sheepmen rally around Joe's beanfield, it becomes a powerful symbol of their lost rights and lands. Meanwhile, in the capital, the Anglo water barons and power brokers convene, intent on quashing this symbol before it threatens their lucrative land-development plans. The story of Milagro's rise is both wildly comic and deeply tender, portraying a town that stumbles toward its own salvation. Critics praise the author for his gifts akin to Steinbeck's, highlighting his compassion, humor, and celebration of human dignity. The narrative is described as insightful and entertaining, capturing a sense of wonder reminiscent of "One Hundred Years of Solitude." Overall, it is a gentle, funny, and transcendent tale that resonates with readers.