The Hummingbird's Daughter

A Novel

By: Luis Alberto Urrea

Narrated by: Luis Alberto Urrea

Length: 18 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 1889, and civil war is brewing in Mexico. A 16-year-old girl, Teresita, the illegitimate but beloved daughter of the wealthy and powerful rancher Don Tomas Urrea, wakes from the strangest dream, a dream that she has died. Only it was not a dream. This passionate and rebellious young woman has arisen from death with the power to heal, but it will take all her faith to endure the trials that await her and her family now that she has become the "Saint of Cabora".

The Hummingbird's Daughter is a vast, hugely satisfying novel of love and loss, joy and pain. Two decades in the writing, this is the masterpiece that Luis Alberto Urrea has been building up to.

©2006 Luis Alberto Urrea (P)2006 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Epic." (The New Yorker)

"Urrea meticulously captures day-to-day life among the poor farmers and their populist beliefs in their saint." (Bookmarks Magazine)

"[The Hummingbird's Daughter] is wildly romantic, sweeping in its effect, employing the techniques of Catholic hagiography, Western fairy tale, Indian legend and everyday family folklore against the gritty historical realities of war, poverty, prejudice, lawlessness, torture and genocide. Urrea effortlessly links Teresita's supernatural calling to the turmoil of the times, concealing substantial intellectual content behind effervescent storytelling and considerable humor." (Publishers Weekly)

Engrossing story, richly detailed

The author says this book took 20 years to write - and it shows. Thoroughly engrossing, beautifully written, and fully realized with a depth of detail that makes lesser writing seem thin and contrived. The narration by the author is a great bonus.

Definitely Must Hear/read this!

My fiance and I listened to this on roadtrips this summer. We fell in love with the story and were sad when it was finally over. Not a book you read just once!

Wonderfully written and read historical novel about St. Teresa of Cabot’s

I have both read and listened this powerful novel about northern Mexico at the time of Revolution and the turn of the 20th Century. It is the story of Teresa Urrea who became known as the Saint of Cabora. The characters are memorable, the description vivid and the events of her life both magical and terrifying. This is an exceptional audio novel.

Genius Realismo Magico

Where does The Hummingbird's Daughter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audiobook is one of the best I've ever listened to. It has enough historical background to make it real, it is beautifully written with sensitivity and humor, the characters are sympathetic and the reading was wonderful!

Which character – as performed by Luis Alberto Urrea – was your favorite?

I think Tomas Urrea was my favorite-- a regular guy caught between trying to make his rancho profitable and juggling the peculiarities of his family and the "magic" they were gifted; caught between the government and private rights, between tradition and change,between education and practicality. He handled everything with grace (once he understood that he really had no choice...)

Any additional comments?

Luis Urrea did not only a phenomenal job of writing, but also of reading!

Great Storytelling, Highly Recommended

In most cases, I couldn't care less who is reading, but this guy can tell a story. He's funny, lively, and a brilliant writer. My wife and I have been listening to this in place of evening TV, and the imagery is very much more vivid, often leading me into some interesting dreaming and further places to explore. Gabriel Marquez is as evocative, but the surrealism there gets annoying and tangential for me. Urrea's tableaux are real, rooted in history and real culture, and believable characters, gritty, yet warm and colorful. A rare great read, this story is adding to my waking life in interesting ways. Highly recommended.

wow

This was a powerful tale with a timeless quality. I am an english speaker but speak some spanish. I loved the weaving of languages.

One of my favorite books of all time

Hummingbird's Daughter just very well be my favorite novel of all time. I have read it several times, and never tire of the story. To hear it read by the author made it even better. All the humor and intention behind his work comes right through, and I found myself laughing out loud several times.

Bravo on such an accomplished and beautiful story. I can't praise it enough!

A Story Well Told

Luis Urrea is currently my favorite author and narrator. I have listened to this book as well as The House of Broken Angels and his narration really brings his written word to life. I listened to both of this books which is rarity. His books are complex and filled with all sorts of fascinating characters! They are not meant to be read casually.

Beautiful story and story-telling

What a wonderful story! And such a treat to have it told with such talent - by the author! This is story-telling at its best.

Fabulous

Loved everything about this book. Wonderful story, wonderful reading totally loved it!!!! I already told friends about it.