A major rediscovery—the first novel by a Mexican American WomanMaría Amparo Ruiz de Burton was the first Mexican American woman to write novels in English and the first nineteenth-century California writer to publish a novel in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War. Her first book, Who Would Have Thought It?, tells the story of Lola, a young, orphaned Mexican girl rescued from Indian captors by one Dr. Norval, who returns with Lola to his New England home. Though the townspeople initially shun the interloper, they become transfixed by Lola once word about the gold accompanying her gets out. Through the riveting personal story of a young girl’s coming-of-age, Who Would Have Thought It? offers a stunning portrayal of the clash of cultures and communities, and a fresh perspective on Civil War America. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Who Would Have Thought It? (Penguin Classics)

Literature & Fiction

Burton, Maria Amparo Ruiz de

United States

Penguin Publishing Group

A historical romance with an activist heart, and an impassioned critique of U.S. expansionism—with an introduction by Ana Castillo, author of So Far from God\nA fiercely partisan novel based on the author’s own experiences, The Squatter and the Don follows two families living near San Diego shortly after the United States’ annexation of California: the Alamares of the landed Mexican gentry, and the Darrells, the New Englanders who seek to claim the Alamares’ land. When young Clarence Darrell falls in love with Mercedes Alamar, the stage is set for a conflict that blends the personal with the political.\nA scathing critique of corporate capitalism, this story exposes the true historical plight of californios as their lands are taken away by a government with incestuous ties to the railroad monopoly—institutions laced with the greed and racism of nineteenth-century America’s expansionist agenda.\nThe Modern Library Torchbearers series features women who wrote on their own terms, with boldness, creativity, and a spirit of resistance.

The Squatter and the Don (Modern Library Torchbearers)

Dramas & Plays

Modern Library

“The Squatter and the Don, like its author, has come out a survivor,” notes Ana Castillo in her Introduction. “The fact that it has resurfaced after more than a century from its original publication is a testimony to its worthiness.” Inviting comparison to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, María Amparo Ruiz de Burton’s illuminating political novel is also an engaging historical romance. Set in San Diego shortly after the United States’ annexation of California and written from the point of view of a native Californio, the story centers on two families: the Alamars of the landed Mexican gentry, and the Darrells, transplanted New Englanders–and their tumultuous struggles over property, social status, and personal integrity. This Modern Library Paperback Classic is set from the first edition of 1885. Ana Castillo is a poet, essayist, and novelist whose works includethe recent poetry collection I Ask the Impossible and the novel Peel My Love Like an Onion. She lives in Chicago and teaches at DePaul University.

The Squatter and the Don (Modern Library Classics)

This volume is as complete a collection of the Ruiz de Burton letters as is possible, given the imperfect historical record. Included are various personal and business documents and a collection of articles about her and her family.

Conflicts of Interest: The Letters of Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton (Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage)

Ruiz de Burton, María Amparo

Essays & Correspondence

Arte Publico Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Burton, Maria Amparo Ruiz de. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Burton, Maria Amparo Ruiz de

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Burton, Maria Amparo Ruiz de. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Who Would Have Thought It? (Penguin Classics)

The Squatter and the Don (Modern Library Torchbearers)

The Squatter and the Don (Modern Library Classics)

Conflicts of Interest: The Letters of Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton (Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage)