What do you think?
Rate this book
Walking Stars: Stories of Magic and Power
These are the stories of Victor Villaseñor's childhood. Magical, yet true, they are fables of endurance, defeat and triumph, spirituality, and, always, of love. Handed down through the generations, the Villase-or's have been telling these family tales for years. Now, Victor shares them with his unmistakable storyteller style, complete with beautiful imagery and timeless significance.
Set against the backdrop of the Mexican revolution and his family's migration to the United States, these stories feature a cast of unforgettable characters who have in common their perseverance and courage. They encounter the supernatural, escape persecution by rebel soldiers, endure hunger, thirst and physical stress, and ultimately, transcend their circumstances to achieve their dreams. They are indeed walking stars.
Victor Villaseñor works his magic once again with these extraordinary stories.
Set against the backdrop of the Mexican revolution and his family's migration to the United States, these stories feature a cast of unforgettable characters who have in common their perseverance and courage. They encounter the supernatural, escape persecution by rebel soldiers, endure hunger, thirst and physical stress, and ultimately, transcend their circumstances to achieve their dreams. They are indeed walking stars.
Victor Villaseñor works his magic once again with these extraordinary stories.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
22 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Victor Villaseñor
45 books416 followersVictor Villaseñor is an acclaimed Mexican-American writer, best known for the New York Times bestseller novel Rain of Gold. Villaseñor's works are often taught in American schools. He went on to write Thirteen Senses: A Memoir (2001), a continuation of Rain of Gold. His book Burro Genius: A Memoir (2004) describes his life. The author has received awards and endorsements, including an appointment to serve as the founding Steinbeck Chair at Hartnell College and the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, from February 2003 to March 2004.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 4, 2025
i couldn’t not give this a 5 purely bc of how moving it was. beautifully written and poignant stories of magic and power, stories of ordinary people who draw their strength from love.
July 14, 2011
My first exposure to Villaseñor was in an issue of the San Diego Writer's Monthly, which also carried a chapter of my memoir. Subsequently, I read with sympathy an interview in which he described a falling-out he had with his publisher. But even though he's a local writer, I regret to say that this is the first book of his that I've read.
The regret is because the book is so thoroughly enjoyable. These are a series of short, easily-read stories that, given the Old California setting of some, bring Steinbeck to mind. Alternatively, given the primitive Mexico setting of others, and the many scarcely-credible events, I thought briefly of Carlos Castaneda or Garcia Márquez. Comparisons go only so far, however. Based on having read just this one book, I'd say Villaseñor has a voice all his own.
Following each story, he steps in with a page or two of text in which he assures his readers that, despite what common sense might have us believe, the events are all true: There actually was a horse who climbed over fences like a human. As confirmed by a "snakeologist" at the zoo, there really is a snake that can rear up and attack someone on horseback. And if you can accept that, perhaps you'll also believe him when he says that people truly are stars such as we see in the sky. For the most part, these explanatory bridges serve as half of the story, but occasionally they feel a little heavy-handed, addressing the reader with advice like "always keep an open mind and keep going, for you never know when today's catastrophe will be tomorrow's miracle."
Every story is at least somewhat miraculous. My favorite is the last one, which has the author's father, as a just a very little kid, playing chicken with his buddies to see who could wait the longest before jumping on a moving train and then (since he waited too long) jogging alone down the tracks, across the desert, for a day and a night, determined to catch up with that train. As with all the others, it's based on what the author has been told, but his description makes it viscerally real.
I understand Villaseñor's desire to connect with his cultural roots, and as such this book is a marvelous success. I might quibble with his suggestions that Americans in particular (but probably anybody who's not a primitive Indian living in a remote mountainous area) is pitifully benighted. I might work myself up over the idea of an author living in the U.S. and enjoying the opportunities it affords while suggesting that we are all so clueless and disconnected from reality. I mean, quite likely we are, but it's not as if throwing everything away and moving en masse to the back country would improve matters.
Despite that impulse, it's not the correct response to this book. I enjoyed it far more than most. It came along at a good time, too, as I'd begun to feel that I was reading more and enjoying it less. These stories are truly delightful, wondrous, touching, and they have not only been a pleasure to read but have also shown a light on the process by which family history can be turned into literature. In that regard, there's even perhaps a resemblence to Eudora Welty!
The regret is because the book is so thoroughly enjoyable. These are a series of short, easily-read stories that, given the Old California setting of some, bring Steinbeck to mind. Alternatively, given the primitive Mexico setting of others, and the many scarcely-credible events, I thought briefly of Carlos Castaneda or Garcia Márquez. Comparisons go only so far, however. Based on having read just this one book, I'd say Villaseñor has a voice all his own.
Following each story, he steps in with a page or two of text in which he assures his readers that, despite what common sense might have us believe, the events are all true: There actually was a horse who climbed over fences like a human. As confirmed by a "snakeologist" at the zoo, there really is a snake that can rear up and attack someone on horseback. And if you can accept that, perhaps you'll also believe him when he says that people truly are stars such as we see in the sky. For the most part, these explanatory bridges serve as half of the story, but occasionally they feel a little heavy-handed, addressing the reader with advice like "always keep an open mind and keep going, for you never know when today's catastrophe will be tomorrow's miracle."
Every story is at least somewhat miraculous. My favorite is the last one, which has the author's father, as a just a very little kid, playing chicken with his buddies to see who could wait the longest before jumping on a moving train and then (since he waited too long) jogging alone down the tracks, across the desert, for a day and a night, determined to catch up with that train. As with all the others, it's based on what the author has been told, but his description makes it viscerally real.
I understand Villaseñor's desire to connect with his cultural roots, and as such this book is a marvelous success. I might quibble with his suggestions that Americans in particular (but probably anybody who's not a primitive Indian living in a remote mountainous area) is pitifully benighted. I might work myself up over the idea of an author living in the U.S. and enjoying the opportunities it affords while suggesting that we are all so clueless and disconnected from reality. I mean, quite likely we are, but it's not as if throwing everything away and moving en masse to the back country would improve matters.
Despite that impulse, it's not the correct response to this book. I enjoyed it far more than most. It came along at a good time, too, as I'd begun to feel that I was reading more and enjoying it less. These stories are truly delightful, wondrous, touching, and they have not only been a pleasure to read but have also shown a light on the process by which family history can be turned into literature. In that regard, there's even perhaps a resemblence to Eudora Welty!
October 10, 2012
Required reading for my Spanish Literature class, translated into English. It's a compilation of short stories which are amazing and inspiring.
December 3, 2022
The book I chosen is walking stars by Victor senior I would be listing the things I loved about this book. The first thing I loved about this book is how Victor interviews his dad and his dad talks about the legend of the serpent but Victor is now older and doesn’t believe him I enjoyed this part because Victor starts laughing but his Papa is serious. The second thing I loved about this book is how it talks about Joseph’s dog Shep, Joseph was Victor brother but sadly he passed away due to sickness anyways Victor talks about how brave and strong Shep was because he disappeared in the night to redeem Joseph’s soul after that day shep was never seen again. The third thing I loved is how this book has so many stories in one it talks about The Midnight duke, Stories of a mother, Woman’s greatest power and much more. The fourth thing I loved about this book is how Victors mom Lupe says “ Love really does help us in our darkest hour” this reminds me of my mo because she would say something like this. The last thing I disliked about this book is How white peoples treated us because of our skin and how they thought we were bad people I just don’t like it, boils my blood.
April 8, 2021
The only book I’ve read in some years to actually deserve the 5 stars given.
Incredibly moving; Villaseñor will have you in tears one moment and ready for battle the next.
This book is filled with so much heart and magic, it bounced right off of the pages. Love love LOVE.
This is my first Villaseñor read and it most definitely will not be the last.
Deeply Inspired.
Incredibly moving; Villaseñor will have you in tears one moment and ready for battle the next.
This book is filled with so much heart and magic, it bounced right off of the pages. Love love LOVE.
This is my first Villaseñor read and it most definitely will not be the last.
Deeply Inspired.
January 22, 2020
Second-hand store discovery. Mr. Villaseñor is now one of my favorite writers. These are powerful stories that highlight the magic of everyday moments.
March 17, 2010
Wonderful stories from one of my favorite authors. Several of these events will be familiar to those who have read Rain of Gold, but they are told here in a slightly different voice and context. In the author's notes of each story, Villaseñor shares his own spiritual journey, the lessons he learned from these stories, and the values he would like his children --and by extension, all of us-- to take from them. There's something timeless and universal about them that reminds me of the way we are all connected, to each other, to those who came before us, and to the universe. It's a simple little book, somehow both humble and proud. It reminds me of the of the everyday miracles that surround us.
April 26, 2010
This was another I-should-read-this-because-my-students-are-going-to-read-this book. The stories were entertaining but I much preferred the very last story to the rest. I guess when you try to tell me that people are really stars--no, that they really are real stars--it makes me not believe you that much when you say the rest is real. Then I'll be thinking that you mean it might as well be real, which is the same as fiction.
June 21, 2013
These are the short incredible but true stories of the Villaseñor family which have been passed down describing stories of bravery, selflessness, faith, & respect for nature & your fellow human being.
If you are Mexican or Latino I am sure your family has incredible stories to tell!
If you are Mexican or Latino I am sure your family has incredible stories to tell!
August 30, 2014
Excellent book. Set in the mountains in Chihuahua, Mexico during the Mexican Revolution, it is a series of short stories about the author's parents, mainly his mother and father. Great tales full of innocent, beautiful superstition and strong faith. A very good read!
January 22, 2008
This is a book of stories ( that are true!) It has bits of magic, love , and spirituality in it! A quick and great read!
December 22, 2009
A very easy and inspiring read about Mexican American traditions.
April 11, 2014
Beautiful.
January 6, 2013
I like this book because the stories are about the magic of life, and things that we believe.
February 3, 2011
Love the story about Sal's brother and his battle for what is right.
Read
September 18, 2018i got to page 5 i like it cause it talk about a family and there smart dog
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews