Patriot Days Dias Patrias, $14.95 By Ricardo Antono Alonzo In Dias Patrias, a curandera, healer,Celestina, with a very mysterious past, possibly dating back to pre-Columbian times in Mexico, tries to guide an intelligent, talented Tomás Alvarez away from the devastation of alcohol. She attributes his anomaly to a curse put upon the Mexican people since before history began. Celestina has a strong faith in the power of El Dador de La Vida, Giver of Life and Tze-Otz, as the force in everything that opposes. She tells stories about los antepasados, the forefathers and how they were cursed. She warns Tomás Alvarez that he has the curse upon him. He does not listen to her until his last breath, when he faces Tze-Otz. Tomás Alvarez is a proud and selfish man whose life and that of his family and those around him is severely impacted by his drinking. | |
Ricardo Antoño Alonzo was born in Mexico City in 1945. He is bilingual and bicultural.Dias Patrias, or Patroitic Days, is his first book. He holds a PhD. from Westbrook University and a master's from Governors State University.He is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. Ricardo has an extensive background in the fields of substance abuse and Employee Assistance (EAP) counseling. Between 1995 and 2005, he held several positions in the State of Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (IDHS/DASA) with responsibility over programs serving HIV, older adults, persons with disabilities, and women involved with child welfare. During this period, he was actively involved in coalitions dedicated to improving services for the Latino population. His dream is to find ways to support scholarships for Latinos wishing to enter the fields of substance abuse and social work. |