The Rag Doll Plagues

by Alejandro Morales

A mysterious plague is decimating the population of colonial Mexico. One of His Majesty's highest physicians is dispatched from Spain to bring the latest advances in medical science to the backward peoples of the New World capital. Here begins the cyclical tale of man battling the unknown, of science confronting the eternally indifferent forces of nature.

Morales takes us on a trip through ancient and future civilizations, through exotic but all-too-familiar cultures, to a final confrontation with our own ethics and world views. In later chapters, the colonial physician finds his successors as they once again engage in life or death struggles, attempting to balance their own hopes, desires and loves with the good society and the state. Book II of the novel takes place in modern-day southern California, and Book III in a futuristic technocratic confederation known as Lamex.

In the tradition of Latin American born novelist, Alejandro Morales is one of the finest representatives of magic realism in the English language. In The Rag Doll Plague , Morales creates a many layered fictional world, taking us on an entertaining and thought-provoking safari thorough lands, times, peoples and ideas never before encountered or presented in this manner. But ultimately, this valuable trip leads to a reacquaintance with our own society and its moral vision.

Genres: Fiction, School, Read For School, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Latinx, Disability Studies

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[emma]

read for class. such an odd book to read. very disturbing and then confusing

[Alisha Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Students across our nation are taught about the dark history of the Spanish conquest and the colonization of Mexico. The Rag Doll Plagues by Alejandro Morales describes in great detail the horrific plague that killed thousands of people in Mexico during the seventeenth century. The attitude of the main character Gregorio Revueltas is transformed as he spends more time with the people who’s bodies are being consumed by the horrific side effects of the deadly plague overtaking the city. The more time that Gregorio Revueltas spends in the plagued city provides him clarification that race and color have no limitations on the plagues power and choice of victims. His time in the city result in the drastic transformation of his character's perception of himself and the people he is saving. I think students would really enjoy this book because of the main characters transformation of perception. Also, the authors writing is very descriptive, which many students look for in their novels. Overall, this is a book I would recommend for high school students.

[Chloe Bright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was really interesting and I'm not entirely sure what to make of it yet; my rating is subject to change once we discuss it more in-depth in class.
However, Book 2 really stood out to me. I absolutely loved the poeticism of the writing in that chunk and the content/storyline. Book 3 was the least interesting to me, though, so it kind of went downhill. Unfortunate.
Overall, not bad. It was super easy to read, and I flew through it. I'm curious to see how my professor and peers are going to incorporate it into the class's theme because it wasn't like anything we've ever read before, and the subject matter is not connecting with me as easily as others. We shall see.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a phenomenal read.
I have never read a book like this, focused so much on human disease and existence. Out of the three books within The Rag Doll Plagues, I liked Book One the best and Book three the least. I also liked how disease became a metaphor for the colonialism of the Spanish in Mexico. The dynamic that the doctors had with their lovers was interesting because they all seemed obsessed with whoever they loved—so obsessed that the lovers didn’t seem human anymore. Another thing with the lovers was that they never talked or had a lot of dialog. This may have to do with how the text portrays genders and their roles in life.
This is an outstanding book—definitely recommend!!

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this book was broken into three parts, I feel as though I should rate each section separately:
- Book 1 - 2 stars
- Book 2 - 4 stars
- Book 3 - 1 star...
So, overall, I have settled at 3 stars and book 2 was this story's Saving-Grace.
As I always seem to find myself saying, I ultimately enjoyed the metaphors and symbolism of the text and I recognize the value in these points/messages, but I was not entertained by it (other than Book 2, which I thought was sad and beautiful and I actually felt something for the characters).
This book reminded me of The Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgewick, which I had similar issues with.

[Charlotte F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three short stories about disease/plagues hit a little close to home during this pandemic, but the incredibly vivid writing kept me in. Books 1&2 were excellent (especially 2), Book 3 fell a little flat.

[Maia Pham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this to be horror-esque honestly. Really good concepts/metaphors and overall an interesting read about plagues in Mexico but so grotesque and macabre. I slept so badly after.

I don’t like the way women are described in this book, it’s such an overplayed trop.

[Kate Sherrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equally excellent on a second read. Must find more of this guy's stuff!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a great idea but felt extremely underdeveloped.

[Emilia Migliaccio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not super enjoyable to read. Lots of grotesque, detailed images. However, the book does relay important messages on colonialism.

[Carson Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting idea, but had trouble resonating with the story and characters. Descriptions are often graphic and gruesome for a reason, but not exactly my cup of tea.

[Aileen Vasquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Danika Rejuste · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so amazing like it’s my favorite one I have read in any of my lit classes so far!

[nuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

weird in a good way. the past becomes the future and the future becomes the past.

[annasterli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! but maybe don’t read it during the height of an ongoing pandemic… just saying.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As interesting as the idea of the plot is this fell flat for me bc it just wasn’t cohesive. the overarching themes are super important but it was way too hard to folloa

[Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and so fascinating. I am in love with this book though I had my doubts. I do find it sexist in the way it treats the female characters, but the overall concept is just fascinating. So many questions, but the juxtaposition of the stories really intrigued me.

[spoon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nah. Also the descriptions of women were so stereotypical (esp in the second part) I thought it was a joke? But I think it's for real? Also did not love treatment of AIDS here. Like not really any part of it.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️ I hate how women were portrayed in this but felt that it was important for the plot of the novel, still it was hard to read. I really enjoyed the apocalyptic themes.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohh, I don't even know where to start. I, in fact, did not mind the style this book was written in. It was a little wonky at times, but none that put me off. The context and premise of the book was enticing enough to keep me going. That or well the fact that I only had one morning to read this book before my class started. I'm giving this book 4 stars, because I honestly enjoyed it. Besides all the other Chican@ scifi books that I had to read for my class, this one along with Lunar Braceros, had concepts so interesting I could forgive any literary/plot choices.

Loved the idea of following a plague/virus/disease throughout three time periods. As well as seeing the line descendants follow a similar path as their past. What brought forth to me was the idea of "blood memory". The idea that our narratives and history as as old as the blood that flows through us. And most quite literally, the answer to our future (as slightly pointed by the novel).

I could go on and on about this book but since I probably have to write a analytic paper later on, I'll save my words for later. (;

[Ry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why, but Morales doesn't really do it for me. His writing is definitely vivid, but there's something about it that seems off for me. The narrative voice does not lend itself to my the delicate sensibilities of my ears or something like that. Though people who are fans of narrative voice that sounds more akin to oral tradition should definitely check this book out.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Given to me by a friend who recently returned from a trip to Mexico. Interesting concept of a plague and the medical people involved, three stories at three differnet times, past, far past and far into the future. It was an interesting concept but not especially well written.

[Rocio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent two years trying to remember the name of this book so I could read it again! It has been so long since I read it, but I do remember I loved this book. Gonna re-read it now that I've got my hands on it!

[Anastacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. The writing isn't the best, but it is still pretty good. I liked the idea of telling the story in the past, present and future. It may not be for everyone, but I like books like these, I feel it deserves more attention than it has been given.

[Michellepbaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote my MA thesis on this book. It's good Chicano quasi-sci fi, and some gore.

[Kacey Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars maybe, was kind of fun to read, lots of fun symbolism yktv

[tameem]

good book

[Kate Sherrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never thought to ask what it would be like if John Brunner wrote medical realism, or if the magical realists wrote John Brunner, but now I know. The results are very good.