During the aftermath of Mexico’s 1968 student massacre, former lovers Amalia Vasquez and Alejandro Mendez rekindle their romance—a spontaneous act with lifelong repercussions. The personal, professional, and political challenges they encounter over the ensuing twenty-year period mirror what the country has yet to reconcile. Nonetheless, The Woman Who Wanted the Moon is also a celebration of Latin passion, spirituality, resourcefulness, and family loyalty. Indeed, this is a love story with an unexpected and unconventional twist.
“With The Woman Who Wanted the Moon, Joanna van der Gracht de Rosado has created a novel whose protagonist is at times an astonished eyewitness to Mexico’s tumultuous twentieth century. By interweaving historical events—in particular the fierce repression of Mexican students in 1968 by the Mexican government—the author creates a poignant allegory of revolution and repression, life and death, love and freedom.” —Michael K. Schuessler, Author of Perregrina: Love and Death in Mexico
“The Woman Who Wanted the Moon embodies the colors and flavors, as well as the sociopolitical climate of Mexico during the 1960s through to the ’80s. The author has crafted a fast-paced novel with unforgettable authentic characters, especially Amalia, whose life experiences parallel those of her country.” —Susan Page, Author of Why Talking Is Not Enough and director of the annual San Miguel Writers’ Conference
“La Noche de Tlatelolco meets the passionate American page-turner when bad-boy Alejandro sends sweet Amalia careening down a new path in life—and home to Yucatan. Bold and knowing, Joanna van der Gracht de Rosado is that rara avis, a genuinely cross-cultural writer.” —C.M. Mayo, Author of Last Prince of Mexican Empire
“The descriptions of the student protests and the tragedy at Tlatelolco on October 2, 1968 are absolutely authentic. And I should know, because I was there.” —Carlos Melendez Perez, 1968 student activist
“A fascinating read that stitches together long-kept secrets from the past into the fabric of the present. Joanna van der Gracht de Rosado makes the characters leap off the page and into the mind and life of the reader.” —Linda Lindholm, Author of national award-winning Widow’s Key and Parting Words
“A tapestry of humanity, passion, and emotional power reaches through the backdrop of Mexico’s sociopolitical upheavals to reveal a reality of Mexican culture that shatters stereotypes.” —Lorraine Baillie Bowie, Ph.D., Author of The Science of Finding Love That Lasts
“As raindrops accumulate to breach a levee, growing government oppression erupted with flood force ten days before Mexico City hosted the 1968 Olympics, leaving hundreds dead, thousands disappeared, and millions shunted down tortuous paths. The Woman Who Wanted the Moon chronicles the altered lives of one extended family after the Tlatelolco massacre, personalizing this watershed event in Mexico’s history with intimate detail and unforgettable prose.” —Marianne Kehoe, Poet and author of Sidewalk Symphony
In 1976, Joanna van der Gracht traveled from Canada to Mexico, where she fell in love with, and married, Jorge Rosado. They raised their children and founded Tecnología Turistica Total, a college for local and international young people.
Joanna’s writing career began in 1980 as Yucatan correspondent for The Mexico City News. She is the author of Magic Made in Mexico and Tomando Agua de Pozo , both best-selling memoir/how-to books about successful cultural adaptation for new residents in Mexico.
A frequent contributor to magazines and short-story collections, Joanna blogs at www.writingfrommerida.com.
