The Stone World

"...In a house with a large house with a large garden, in an unnamed Mexican town, where six-and-a-half-year-old Peter reads, plays, and dreams rld is still new, not yet papered over with received knowledge. And the actual world around him is a unique on in history: a community of leftist âemigrâes who have found refuge in Mexico from the Nazi and fascist regimes of Europe, rubbing shoulders with Mexican labor activists and leftists. Even Frida Kahlo shows up at one of their gatherings. But the âemigrâes long for home-including Peter's stepfather, who wants to return to his native Germany. Going back to Europe may not be safe for any of them yet, however, which gives rise to anguished discussions and arguments amongst Peter's parents and their friends. And slowly, Peter begins to comprehend that his world may be turned upside down-that he might be forced to take leave of everyone he knows: his best friend, Arâon; his father's friend Sâandor, who talks about revolution and performs magic tricks; and Zita, the family's live-in-maid, who has taught him Spanish and the consoling mysteries of prayer..."--