32 pages • 1 hour read
Luis Alberto UrreaThe House of Broken Angels
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The House of Broken Angels takes place in San Diego over two days, spanning seven decades of memories, as the de la Cruz family, led by patriarch Big Angel, attend their mother's funeral and celebrate Big Angel's final birthday. The narrative captures their reflections on family history, personal struggles, and life philosophies amid complex family dynamics and poignant moments. Contains themes of terminal illness, gang violence, and bereavement.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Luis Alberto Urrea's The House of Broken Angels is widely praised for its vivid characters and emotional depth, capturing the complexities of a Mexican-American family. Critics commend Urrea’s lyrical prose and cultural authenticity. However, some find the plot occasionally meandering and dense. Overall, it's a powerful, heartfelt narrative rich in familial themes.
Who Should Read The House of Broken Angels?
Readers of The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea would appreciate family sagas rich in cultural heritage and emotional depth. Fans of Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits or Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude would find this novel’s exploration of Mexican-American identity compelling.