Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

Celia, Pilar

We're going to continue on our pattern of not favoring one character or storyline over another here. It's just too hard to pin down one character to fit this role, thanks to the sprawling narrative. Our sympathies do immediately align with Celia, who is strong-willed, passionate and interesting. And she's been done so much wrong in her time, it's impossible not to feel compassion for her suffering. On the other hand, there's so much to admire about Celia. Her independence and singleness of mind (think of her commitment to the Revolution), as well as her care and affection for her children make her a benign and magnetic character.

Pilar has the will and spirit of Celia with the forthrightness and headstrong nature of a young woman questing to find her identity. What's not to love? Her love affair with punk culture and need to break through her mother's brash demeanor and hyperbolic patriotism means that she is a girl on a coming-of-age journey—and there's nothing that readers identify with more than that.