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Table of Contents
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About The Book
Ernesto Vega has lived many lives, from pig farmer to construction worker to famed luchador El Rey Coyote, yet he has always worn a mask. He was discovered by a local lucha libre trainer at a time when luchadores—Mexican wrestlers donning flamboyant masks and capes—were treated as daredevils or rock stars. Ernesto found fame, rapidly gaining name recognition across Mexico, but at great expense, nearly costing him his marriage to his wife Elena.
Years later, in East Los Angeles, his son, Freddy Vega, is struggling to save his father’s gym while Freddy’s own son, Julian, is searching for professional and romantic fulfillment as a Mexican American gay man refusing to be defined by stereotypes.
With alternating perspectives, Ernesto and Elena take us from the ranches of Michoacán to the makeshift colonias of Mexico City. Freddy describes his life in the suburban streets of 1980s Los Angeles and the community their family built, as Julian descends deep into our present-day culture of hook-up apps, lucha burlesque shows, and the dark underbelly of West Hollywood. The Sons of El Rey is an “epic and transporting novel” (Alejandro Varela, National Book Award finalist and author of The Town of Babylon) of a family wading against time and legacy, yet always choosing the fight.
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Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (June 11, 2024)
- Runtime: 10 hours and 21 minutes
- ISBN13: 9781797174594
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Raves and Reviews
"Narrators Gisela Chípe, Tony Chiroldes, Lee Osorio, and André Santana bring depth and authenticity to their characters. Chípe's portrayal of Elena resonates with strength and resilience, capturing the matriarch's unwavering determination. Chiroldes masterfully navigates Ernesto's journey, balancing his public persona as El Rey Coyote with his private struggles. Osorio skillfully embodies Freddy's inner conflict and quest for authenticity, while Santana brings Julian's emotional complexity to life, especially in his search for acceptance as a gay Mexican American. Their nuanced performances enrich Espinoza's poignant narrative, making this audiobook a captivating exploration of heritage, identity, and familial bonds."
– Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award, AudioFile Magazine
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Sons of El Rey Unabridged Audio Download 9781797174594
- Author Photo (jpg): Alex Espinoza Photograph by Cat Gwynn(0.1 MB)
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