The Water Museum

Stories

By: Luis Alberto Urrea

Narrated by: Luis Alberto Urrea

This hard-hitting, beautiful short story collection from one of America's preeminent literary voices “reflect[s] both sides of his Mexican-American heritage while stretching the reader's understanding of human boundaries” (Kirkus).

Examining the borders between one nation and another, between one person and another, Urrea reveals his mastery of the short form. This collection includes the Edgar-award winning "Amapola" and his now-classic "Bid Farewell to Her Many Horses," which had the honor of being chosen for NPR's "Selected Shorts" not once but twice.

Suffused with wanderlust, compassion, and no small amount of rock and roll, The Water Museum is a collection that confirms Luis Alberto Urrea as an American master.

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR INTO THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH:

"Deliciously composed...[Urrea writes] in a sweet but serious style...The plot gathers as much strength as the prose."
—Alan Cheuse, Chicago Tribune

"Awash in a subtle kind of satire...A funny and poignant impossible journey...Into the Beautiful North is a refreshing antidote to all the negativity currently surrounding Mexico."—Roberto Ontiveros, Dallas Morning News

"Magical."—Vanity Fair

"A spirited and enjoyable fable."—San Francisco Chronicle

"Riotously funny....A wonderfully entertaining novel."—Philadelphia Inquirer

The stories are beautiful, haunting and inspiring.

The author is amazing. I have read EVERY book of his. His narration is lovely and perfect.

So powerful, so honest, so *everything*.

These stories hit every deep emotion I possess: grief, fear, laughter, regret. Two stories left me in tears. I cannot imagine anyone more suited to narrating this book than the author himself. It is, all of it, quite simply, beautiful. ❤

Masterful Vignettes

Urrea brings you into his most creative space as he explores his subjects and characters in short story form. Readers familiar with his family of protagonists with feel at home and be satisfied with more depth or background. Readers new to Urrea will be swallowed up by his imagination and observation. Begging for More!

Rich, Vital, Need More

Great Americana in its full spectrum. Getting by is hard, hearts are troubled, but it beats the vacuous alternative.

The author’s voice is perfect for these stories.

Urrea’s warmth and crackle wraps the stories around you until it’s you and the protagonist working to beat the odds. May I be able to recognize another’s humanity, as these main characters do time and again. And may there never be a need for a Water Museum.

I adored this beautiful collection of tales.

I adored these
Stories and the characters in them. The interweaving of
Cultures and places and people was a delight. I couldn’t stop listening

Luis Alberto Urrea is the Chicano Mark Twain

Beautiful, huanting, poetic, and soul moving. Luis Alberto Urrea is a man who dives into the deepest corners of our souls and elegantly transfers his thoughts into delightful prose. Life is never a dull moment when analyzed in his writings and he sheds light on the little beauties in life we often miss.


Urrea captivates you with a collection of short stories that will move you, make you laugh, and make you think.

Powerful vignettes

A collection of short stories by a master of prose, offering insight, emotion, and empathetic connection with each one.

Sad stereotypes of Mexican Americans

Depressing story with exaggerated stereotypes of Mexican Americans. Love the work of Luis Urrea but not this story.

I hate gory stories

I had nightmares after reading some of the violent passages. Maybe that’s what drug dealers do, but there should be a warning. I read The Hummingbird’s Daughter’s from the same author and liked it. But I really detested this book.