How do you think loss impacts and informs the decisions that women make throughout the book?

Maria Isabel loses two of the most important people in her life and gives birth to her daughter, Cecilia. How do you think loss impacts and informs the decisions that women make throughout the book?

One very true theme was that women have historically lacked financial resources and that has put them at the mercy of men. if financially stable, most of the women would not have had to make the decisions that led to loss in this novel.

Loss real and imagined is one of the driving forces of the novel. It begins with Maria Isabel and continues through to Ana. Loss of Country, family, financial security etc. drives these women to make choices. With the exception of Jeanette they are forced to reckon with it to survive. Jeanette was clouded by her loss and never saw her way through.

Each of these women have suffered loss just by having to flee their own country. To just walk away with the clothes on your back has to be very traumatic and not knowing what to expect or how you will be able to live in a foreign county, not understanding the language, not knowing who you can trust, how you will make a living, when you will eat - unbelievable stress. Leaving your family behind - knowing you may never see them again. There has to be a hard drive in people who migrate - the drive for more and a better life - one without terror and hardship. When living under an unjust rule or terror it makes sense to get out as soon as you can - to run for your life and the lives of your children.