Wild Steps of Heaven

By: Victor Villaseñor

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Victor Villaseñor creates a powerful, moving protrait of his father's family - the Villaseñors - who in their courage and love of life represent the whole passionate history of Mexico.

An epic portrait of Mexico is painted as this spellbinding story of madness and miracles, rage and redemption, unfolds.

Margarita...wild of heart and powerful in her earthborn mystery is the indomitable Indian matriarch who guards her family and conquers her enemies with the cutting edge of unconditional love - and a touch of magic. As a young woman, she was swept away by Juan Jesus Villaseñor, a powerful arrogant man who carried the blood of Spanish royalty in his veins - and who, unarmed, once wrestled with the great serpent that held his village hostage - and won.

Together, Don Juan and Dona Margarita would create a dynasty on the eve of the Mexican Revolution. Their daughters...Emilia and Luisa, beautiful, sensuous, mysterious, who find courage and endurance in their mother's faith, and searing, explosive passion amid the turmoil of war. Their sons...Jose, who becomes a legendary horseman and a hero of the revolution. And Juan, the youngest, Victor Villaseñor's father, through whose eyes this brilliant, tumultuous saga unfolds.

©1997 Victor Villasenor (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"His characters and the events they live through are so outrageous that familiar stereotypes dissolve in their wake and magnetic individuals come to life, taking both the good and the bad as givens, supported by fierce love of the earth, their families, God and, above all, la vida." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great Book terrible reader

Force yourself to read this book and skip the audio book. To much screaming and yelling. The reader can't express the author's emothions without shouting and screaming. I think we all know what emotions are, but the audio book is terrible.

Great story>narration okay

I am an avid fan of Mr. Villasenor and so looked forward to listening to this. The story line was funny, interesting, and easy to follow. However, the narrator could not say words correctly in Spanish and mangled too many words that it took away from the story. I quit after chapter two and got a refund. Its unfortunate that we cannot get competent narrators who speak fluent Spanish on here!

wish narrator spoke Spanish, translation not good

Great story, Villaseñor is one of my favorite authors. I did not like the narration. Wish he would have spoken Spanish.

Loved it

Great book! I’ve read so many by señor Villaseñor and have not been disappointed ! Rain of gold is what’s next them 13 senses. All great books

Love this book!

I got so into this book i didnt want it to end. overall just great!

Forced Mexican (Spanish) accent didn't work

I am a big fan of Victor Villasenor's work. The narrator made an attempt to sound as though he had a "Mexican" accent, but just wasn't convincing, at times making the rich characters sound ridiculous. This was my first audio book which was a totally different experience. I'm willing to try it again.

5 stars for the story 0 for the narrator

Wonderful book. Why would you have a narrator with such a horrible fake accent. The book was not done justice.

amazing!!! i was pulled into the story

wow. everyone should hear this story. I just wish rain of gold was also Audible

Entertaining

I enjoyed this book, and the narrator was fabulous. Living in New Mexico I have a close association with the Mexican culture, and this book captured the deep belief in God, and the love of family that is inherent in the people. The story is not just about the family and it's trials, but about the classic struggle of political power, that destroys and unravels the way of life of the people.

This story turns like a wild horse

well, this book was actually exciting, gruesome, and lovingly human. It was long but worth the time to listen. The change in accents necessary was of an added enjoyment.