84 pages • 2 hours read
Alicia Gaspar de AlbaDesert Blood: The Juárez Murders
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Desert Blood by Alicia Gaspar de Alba is set in 1998 during Juárez's wave of brutal murders targeting young factory workers. Women’s Studies professor Ivon Villa returns to her hometown of El Paso to adopt a baby but becomes entangled in solving the murders after the baby's mother is killed and Ivon's sister disappears, leading her to uncover a vast, cross-border conspiracy. The book involves graphic depictions of violence and sexual assault.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Alicia Gaspar de Alba's Desert Blood is lauded for its gripping narrative and cultural insight into the femicides of Juárez. Critics praise its powerful depiction of social issues and well-developed characters. However, some note its complex subplots and intense themes may be overwhelming for certain readers. Overall, it is a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read Desert Blood?
Readers captivated by sociopolitical landscapes and gender issues in works like The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson will find Desert Blood compelling. This novel delves into the raw and gripping reality of femicides along the US-Mexico border, meshing mystery with poignant cultural insights.