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And the Shadows Took Him Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of And the Shadows Took Him




Atria, May 2004, 25.00, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0743466381

William Molina feels good that he is the first Hispanic-American to be promoted to management as a dispatcher in Fresno and shocks his wife Rachel, his teenage daughter Vero , and his two sons teen Billy and preadolescent Joey by taking them to dinner. The family has never been to a waitress based restaurant where a person serves the meal. Not long after that William knows he has obtained the American dream as he relocates to Oregon as a middle class worker.
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However, Joey also realizes that leaving impoverished Fresno did not remove the stereotype label of Latino gang member. While Joey performs at his new school in the role of punk hood, William struggles with the darker side of the American dream that he finds lacks substance. Already known for his temper though he always controlled his fists, his anger may break his family apart if he does not learn to control his growing wrath.

This is an intriguing character study that takes an extremely dark look at the impact of the American dream on one's roots. The story line is driven by the five Molinas as readers get a close look at each of them and through them aspects of the Mexican-American culture. Daniel Chacon paints a deep tale that makes the case that assimilation is not all that it seems.

Harriet Klausner


The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner



Chapter Analysis of And the Shadows Took Him

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Plot & Themes

Tone of book?    -   thoughtful Time/era of story    -   2000+ (Present Day) Kids growing up/acting up?    -   Yes Ethnic/Regional/Religion    -   Spanish in America    -   American Pacific Coast Other aspects:    -   story of the poor Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Ethnic/regional/gender life    -   Yes Age group of kid(s) in story:    -   high school Parents/lack of parents problem?    -   parental abuse

Main Character

Gender    -   Male Profession/status:    -   blue collar Age:    -   40's-50's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   Hispanic/Latinic

Setting

United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Pacific NW

Writing Style

Amount of dialog    -   significantly more dialog than descript

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Daniel Chacon Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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