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  • The People of Paper by Salvador Plascencia book cover
  • The People of Paper by Salvador Plascencia book cover
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The People of Paper

by Salvador Plascencia

A fractured family story in a community of flower pickers

Critically Recognized
$16.89 USD
$28.15 USD $16.89 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Author recognition

    George Saunders calls Salvador Plascencia a “once-in-a-generation talent”

    Described as a “once-in-a-generation talent.”

  • Critical praise

    Praised by The New York Times Book Review

    Praised as “Wonderful and comically inventive.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

A fractured family story in a community of flower pickers

After Merced leaves, Federico de la Fe and his daughter, Little Merced, relocate from Mexico to California and settle among flower pickers. Their family’s separation and adjustment share the narrative with an unusual cast—including a disgruntled monk and a woman made of paper—and a mysterious force pressing on the town. The publisher’s description also foregrounds limes as a recurring detail in the father’s and daughter’s lives. Together, these elements place a story of lost love and family change within a community setting touched by the fantastical.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in stories about family separation, lost love, and starting over.
  • Readers who enjoy ensemble casts and fantastical elements alongside contemporary settings.
  • Readers curious about fiction set among a community of flower pickers in California.

Themes

Lost loveFamily changeMigration and starting overCommunityFantastical elements

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

The People of Paper is an astonishing debut novel about the anguish of lost love. Author Salvador Plascencia, a "once-in-a-generation talent" (George Saunders), weaves together the stories of a large cast of colorful characters, including: a disgruntled monk, a gang of carnation pickers, and a woman made of paper.


"Wonderful and comically inventive." --The New York Times Book Review


Federico de la Fe is a devoted husband and father, but when his lime-loving wife, Merced, abandons him, he and his daughter, Little Merced (who also loves limes), must start a new life together. They leave their home in Mexico and head for California. There they settle among a community of flower pickers, where Federico de la Fe's sadness festers, and Little Merced develops a dangerous addiction to limes.


All the while an oppressive force bears down on the town. When the identity of this mysterious oppressor is finally revealed, the story takes an unexpected turn and moves toward its magical, breathtaking end.

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Customer reviews

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AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

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Ella

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.