Beyond Rain of Gold

“The big strong male that's in front…doesn't lead…he follows in front. It's we, the
mothers and grandmothers and children, who lead with our squawking, screeching, happy
sounds.”

These are the words of the author’s grandmother, who came to Mexican-American Victor
Villaseñor in a dream to inspire him with her hope that human beings could learn to live
in natural harmony as the snowgeese have always done. The visitation leads him to form
the non-profit Snowgoose Global Thanksgiving, only one of the magical wonders
chronicled in Villaseñor’s latest autobiographical exploration, Beyond Rain of Gold.

The author’s determination to become a writer from adolescence brought nearly 300
rejections before the publication of his coming-of-age novel, Rain of Gold, invoked
comparisons to John Steinbeck. He served as the founding Steinbeck Chair at Hartnell
College and the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, and his books are taught in many
schools. Villaseñor still writes, while making the rounds as an inspirational speaker.
You’ll get in the groove of the author’s style once you read the introduction to Beyond
Rain of Gold in which he says “I realize that in English, understatement is a very
prominent style. This is not true of my cultural background.” So be prepared for a lot of
caps, exclamation points, enthusiasm, and SCREAMING.

Villasenor’s father is a central figure in the book. Growing up, the author is gradually
distanced from this dynamic man who built his life by fierce determination. At his
father’s funeral, through the emotional, heart-felt testimony of hundreds of loyal friends,
Victor finally realizes how incredible his father was–generous, dangerous, strong, regal.
Then his father’s spirit begins to appear, guiding him through tricky situations with
advice that sometimes seems counter- intuitive–but works. Through this guidance
Villasenor gains respect for the teachings of his elders and the ir connections with the
Other Side. He learns from other cultural streams as well: two Native Americans reveal
to him that “God” is not a noun but a verb, leading to his emphasis on “goding.”

Beyond Rain of Gold takes us through Villasenor’s later years, recapitulating some of his
earlier failures and triumphs, his family relationships, marriage, and the development of
his philosophy. In every way a self-made person, he can serve as a role model to young
Mexican Americans looking for a toehold in their adopted culture, and as an inspiration
to anyone seeking a pathway to inner guidance.

(March 2011)

Barbara Bamberger Scott (Foreword Reviews Magazine)

______________________________________________________________________________________

Three decades ago, Villaseñor chronicled his family’s history on the physical plane with his bestselling Rain of Gold (which is scheduled to become an HBO Miniseries). Now he has chronicled his family’s history on the Other Side. It’s a lively account which begins with his father’s announcement on New Year’s Eve 1988 that he was going to go heaven to join his mother. Using, as his framework, the challenges a Latino author faced getting Rain of Gold published as it was written, Villaseñor tells us the inner story of his spiritual unfolding. He tells us that walking hand-in-hand with those who have crossed over is an ingrained tradition of Latin culture. As we follow his raucous tale, filled with gusto and hardy living, he passes on the indigenous Spiritual Wisdom of his heritage and the guidance he received from his ancestors as he walked his intended path in this world. It is his love of life, in this world and the other, that makes this one special. An added bonus, is the fact that it is a male adventure tale with a feminist message. It is, also, a very credible, sophisticated way to let your Hispanic customers know that they are visible and valued in your store.
Anna Jedrziewski New Age Retailer