The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade is lauded for its intricate character development and compelling portrayal of familial bonds. While celebrated for its heartfelt narrative and vivid depiction of a New Mexican community, it occasionally falters with a somewhat slow pacing. Overall, critics find it a poignant and beautifully written debut.

Readers who appreciate richly crafted, multi-generational family sagas will enjoy Kirstin Valdez Quade's The Five Wounds. Comparable to works like A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley and The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea, this novel deftly explores themes of redemption and resilience.

The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade is a family drama set in Las Penas, New Mexico, revolving around Amadeo Padilla, who hopes to find redemption by playing Jesus in the town's Passion reenactment. His pregnant teenage daughter, Angel, moves in with him and her grandmother Yolanda, leading the family through struggles with addiction, abuse, and generational trauma to find healing and reconciliation.

Melancholic / Emotional / Contemplative / Gritty / Bittersweet

- The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade is based on her short story of the same name, which was included in her award-winning collection Night at the Fiestas.
- The novel was selected as a pick for the prestigious Today Book Club in April 2021, bringing it to a larger national audience.
- Kirstin Valdez Quade's The Five Wounds was longlisted for the 2021 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, highlighting her transition from short stories to novels.

Kirstin Valdez Quade

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The Five Wounds Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Five Wounds Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Semana Santa”

Part 1 The Five Wounds Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Ordinary Time”

Part 2, Pages 95-198

The Five Wounds Part 2, Pages 95-198 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Pages 199-265

The Five Wounds Part 2, Pages 199-265 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Pages 266-349

The Five Wounds Part 2, Pages 266-349 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Page 350-Part 3

The Five Wounds Part 2, Page 350-Part 3 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Five Wounds Character Analysis

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Themes

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The Five Wounds

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