“Esperanza's road trip of self-discovery will no doubt evoke many smiles... An enchanting read that soon gets under your skin. Read the book... it's real magic.”
—Wall Street Journal—

“Exuberant!”
—Los Angeles Times—

“A funny, romantic road trip that explores the seedy border culture of Mexico and Southern California. ”
—Newsweek—

“An extremely likable first novel that seems destined for high visibility. Smoothly and enjoyably readable throughout: a more than commendable debut. ”
—Kirkus Reviews—

“Mexican-American author Escandón offers an engaging, simply written novel that traces a woman's search for her beloved 12-year-old daughter.”
—Publishers Weekly—

“All in all, this is a book guaranteed to charm and amuse. ”
—Amazon—

“A highly original, beautifully written, and heartwarming tale.”
—Tony Hillerman—

“This novel introduces us to many saints in Heaven and the more interesting--struggling saints-in-the-making right here on earth. A charming and compassionate fable. ”
—Carolyn See—

“Esperanza’s Box of Saints takes us on a spirited journey at once poignant and hilarious. May the Saints bless the innocence and courage of Esperanza Díaz, the novel's inimitable hero who winds her way through the world toward independence. May the Saints preserve her wit, tenacity and passion.”
—Sandra Benitez—

“The saints in María Amparo Escandón’s novel take us on a journey that explores the nature of sin and absolution, the pain of loss and the resurrection of desire. Esperanza’s Box of Saints is an enormously compassionate work about a woman who wrestles with her own faith and emerges victorious.”
—John Sayles—

“Esperanza, like Demeter, enters the underworld in search of her daughter. But this is a contemporary hell of pimps, whores, perverse sex, and rare moments of satisfying love. A stunning commentary on religion and sex.”
—Rudolph Anaya—

“A haunting-and hunting-tale of spiritual self-discovery wherein a searcher and the object of her search are one and the same. Maria Amparo Escandón writes with enviable assurance and deceitful simplicity. Her style is all about sight, belief, and memory. And her tale is miraculous: it has the weight of a myth and the beauty of a legend.”
—Ilan Stavans—

“Esperanza’s Box of Saints fills our souls with colors and flavors, but more importantly with a sense of genuine, heartfelt candor, born from true faith. With a smile on our face and a pang in our heart, we find renewed hope in Esperanza's quest.”
—Laura Esquivel—

“A sweet and entertaining novel by an inventive writer.”
—Oscar Hijuelos—

“Beyond magic realism, María Amparo Escandón takes us into a fascinating world where the mystical and the mundane collide in Esperanza’s desperate search for her missing daughter. Amongst her extraordinary ordeal, this young devout widow’s life is transformed forever as she passes through the most bizarre brothels, from Veracruz all the way to Los Angeles, guided by her beloved saints. Disturbing and funny, offbeat and bold, Esperanza’s Box of Saints is definitely a new landmark in Latin American literature.”
—Jorge Ramos, Anchor, Univision—

“Here is a Mexican woman’s take on the Odyssean tale: a mother looking for a daughter, guided by a Saint’s image on a grime-drenched glass oven door. From one bizarre, and often dangerous, encounter after another, this motherlove keeps Esperanza from losing her conscience, her beauty, and the purity of her soul. I admire Escandón’s telling, a seduction in itself, pulling me deeper to a heart of darkness, which is also the heart of intractable love.”
—Luis Rodríguez—