Charismatic and gifted as a mediator and negotiator, the young protagonist travels to the Philippines. There, with these abilities, he rises as a shrewd entrepreneur, becomes a wealthy hacienda owner, and leads as a cacique with political ambitions. Ceballos emerges as a magnetic figure who will take part in pivotal historical moments, sharing his account from the viewpoint of an Indian-born Spaniard or expat of the era.
At the same time, readers are swept into a legendary romance, the founding of a family, and involvement in a mysterious secret that will unfold as the story progresses. But that is only the beginning. In The Rain Over Dry Earth, the reader discovers a sprawling family saga full of surprises and stylistic shifts, as the author Vera Luján Sagar wields language with artful precision, tailoring the tone to each time and place and revealing Spain’s history from multiple regions and moments. Several characters, both central and ancillary, weave together to tell events that move quickly and keep the tension high, presenting a rich tapestry of perspectives.
This novel places the reader in the realism of colonial Philippines, in the Santander mountains and coastlines, and in the Guadalajara of the Civil War. The reader follows Ceballos as he grows from a naïve boy into a national hero and later into a cautious, mature businessman whose strongest asset is his family. The choices he makes shape the destinies of future generations and give rise to an original story replete with mysteries, questions, and connections. The book is powerful, well documented, and its ending leaves readers wanting more, traveling across genres without being confined to a single label. It is historical fiction, but also romance, travel, action and adventure, and fiction of women’s lives.
Pages turn quickly as readers discover a faithfully recreated past and characters who move them and linger in the memory. The author of this episodic novel, Vera Luján Sagar, a Spanish writer, sinologist, and expert in communication and translation, makes her debut with this title and signals more chapters to come. It is a small gem that can be found on Amazon this autumn for the literary season.
We recommend it.
“The Rain Over Dry Earth,” by Vera Luján Sagar.
Independent Publishing, 298 pages / ISBN-13: 979-8329944860