Land of Milk and Money

by Anthony Barcellos

Land of Milk and Money tells the story of the Francisco family, Portuguese immigrants who build a prosperous California dairy farm. With their growing success, plans to return to the Old Country fall by the wayside, and the legacy of the older generation becomes a source of contention among descendants competing to inherit herds of cattle and tracts of farmland. As matriarch, Teresa had devoted her life to keeping the peace in her big family. But when she dies long-simmering resentments and feuds burst into the open--and into the courtroom. Teresa, however, had seen it all coming, and her will contains a few surprises.

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2012

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing story based on a family saga. Written by my good friend, Anthony Barcellos, math professor at American River College!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining epic of family life across several generations of Portuguese-American dairy farmers in Tulare County, California, structured around tensions stemming from the will of the family matriarch. The family dynamics and crises are universal, but the richness of detail about life in the San Joaquin Valley will evoke memories for some and serve as a near-anthropological introduction to others. It draws heavily from the author's family life, and while one is left wondering how closely it adheres to his actual family's experiences and how much is fictionalized, his fictional proxy 'Paul' betrays some nostalgia for a life left behind and (some) of the people who meant something to him.

[Marina Gaston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good family drama story. The characters were well developed and the drama is believable and interesting. The out of order narration is irritating but that's just my opinion. I like linear thought, but I can see how the jumping around can add a little bit of action to a story that may have been a little dull if just told in straight lines simply jumping forward in years. Overall it is a good read and well worth your time. Whether you are of Portuguese descent or not, the story stands on it own as a piece of Americana.

As an immigrant from the islands myself, some of the expressions were a little off, especially the translation of Deus te anbencoe. It is not "God has blessed you" but rather a request for God to bless you. Literally may God bless you. It's a little thing, but I am Portuguese and therefore couldn't let it pass. We are incapable of not correcting each other for the sake of being correct.

[Ethan Gallogly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on this history of a portuguese family in America!
Disclaimer: the author is a friend of mine. (but the review is unbiased)

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whip Lash of a Book

I picked up this story because I was interested in Portuguese dairy farming in California. While the story is engaging, the constant flashbacks to numerous different time periods (you better pay close attention) make it difficult to follow the characters and the plot. It was sometimes difficult to see how the sub-plots related back to the main plot. After awhile, I stopped reading the stories from the earlier years, or I would skim them for interest and then move on quickly to get to the plot, which was the resolution of a very dysfunctional family lawsuit. Most of the sub-plots were more than I needed or wanted to know but some were interesting. I was hoping to learn more about dairy farming, but I did learn some.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable family drama set in California farmland. Interesting story in an interesting setting. Some of the characters were just not believable to me to me though. Too dumb.

Also, the story jumps around a lot. I wish it had been written chronologically.

[Do · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tale about a local family.

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14530713