The Bullet Swallower

A Most Anticipated Book of 2024 by Goodreads, CrimeReads, The Millions, StyleCaster, The EveryGirl, Sunset, Book Riot, and HipLatina

January Recommended Reading by The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Book Riot, Nerd Daily, The Mary Sue, and Reading Between the Spines

The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James masterfully intertwines two riveting timelines, creating a spellbinding narrative that explores themes of revenge, destiny, and the weight of ancestral sins.

In 1895, Antonio Sonoro, a proud and fierce man, finds himself in dire straits. The unyielding drought in Dorado, Mexico, has left his family on the brink of ruin. Desperate and out of options, Antonio seizes the opportunity of a lifetime—a chance to rob a gold-laden train in Houston. When he enlists the help of his younger brother Hugo, the plan goes disastrously wrong. Hugo dies at the hands of the Texas Rangers, sparking a relentless quest for vengeance that propels Antonio into a perilous journey. Not only does this vendetta put his life in jeopardy, but it also threatens to ensnare his eternal soul.

Fast forward to 1964, where Jaime Sonoro stands as Mexico's most revered actor and singer. His glamorous life is upended upon discovering an ancient book that chronicles his family's dark history, starting with the biblical tale of Cain and Abel. As Jaime delves deeper into the annals of his lineage, he uncovers a series of horrific crimes committed by his forebears. The narrative grows even more ominous when the same enigmatic figure from Antonio's past reappears in Jaime's world. Confronted with the terrifying possibility that he must atone for his ancestors' sins, Jaime realises that to free himself, he must unveil the true story of his infamous grandfather, Antonio, known as El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower.

The Bullet Swallower is a family saga of epic proportions, rich in magical realism and steeped in historical context. Drawing inspiration from the author's own great-grandfather, the novel delves into the complexities of border politics, the deep scars of intergenerational trauma, and the enduring legacies of racism and colonialism. With lush settings and stunning prose, Gonzales James crafts a narrative that challenges readers to ponder who bears the burden of ancestral sins and whether one can rise above the shadows of their predecessors.

"Mesmerizing...wildly entertaining...Gonzalez is a great storyteller, bringing both Texas and Mexico to the page with a mix of blood and magic...A must-read." -The Boston Globe