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The Water Museum  By  cover art

The Water Museum

By: Luis Alberto Urrea
Narrated by: Luis Alberto Urrea
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Publisher's summary

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.

©2015 Luis Alberto Urrea (P)2015 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about The Water Museum

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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. ❤

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Rich, Vital, Need More

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

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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.

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9 people found this helpful

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Powerful vignettes

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

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Sad stereotypes of Mexican Americans

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

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