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Class H #3
Pancho Land
Latino insurgents are waging a bitter civil war. Sarah Evans was once their hostage in Los Angeles, a rebel stronghold in a war-torn Southern California. Now, Sarah has returned to LA. Not for vengeance, but for love. Before long, Sarah is embroiled in a plot to destroy a Midwestern city with a suitcase nuclear weapon, threatening to land Sarah on death row. Meanwhile, the U.S. ethnic conflict escalates, bringing the entire world to the brink of war.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2012
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Raul Ramos y Sanchez
6 books35 followers“January” is the first English word I ever learned. I read it on the calendar thumbtacked to the wall of our apartment in the Bronx. Han-noo-a-ree, I pronounced it. That was in the winter of 1957. My mother had just divorced my father and moved us from Havana to New York City. My father was busy trying to overthrow Batista and my mother thought her prospects for raising a seven-year-old son looked much better sewing sequins on evening gowns in the midtown garment district than in a Cuban prison. Thanks, mamá. You made the right call.
Since mastering that first English word, the power and joy of words have become my life. I not only love words, I’ve made a living from them. First, composing them into pages as a graphic designer, and later arranging them into sentences as an advertising writer. After twenty-four years of creating the fiction commonly known as advertising, I decided to start telling my own stories.
THE SKINNY YEARS is my fourth novel. Called “gritty and witty” by Foreword Reviews, it’s a coming-of-age story set in Miami during the stormy 1960s. The novel follows the quirky travails of young Victor “Skinny” Delgado and his Cuban-exile family over their first ten years in the United States. Some readers have asked if the novel is autobiographical. The short answer is “no.” But my childhood memories of growing up in Miami are the inspiration for the story. In reality, my first experiences in the U.S. began in New York City.
Since mastering that first English word, the power and joy of words have become my life. I not only love words, I’ve made a living from them. First, composing them into pages as a graphic designer, and later arranging them into sentences as an advertising writer. After twenty-four years of creating the fiction commonly known as advertising, I decided to start telling my own stories.
THE SKINNY YEARS is my fourth novel. Called “gritty and witty” by Foreword Reviews, it’s a coming-of-age story set in Miami during the stormy 1960s. The novel follows the quirky travails of young Victor “Skinny” Delgado and his Cuban-exile family over their first ten years in the United States. Some readers have asked if the novel is autobiographical. The short answer is “no.” But my childhood memories of growing up in Miami are the inspiration for the story. In reality, my first experiences in the U.S. began in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 8, 2012
"Latino insurgents are waging a bitter civil war. Sarah Evans was once their hostage in Los Angeles, a rebel stronghold in a war-torn Southern California. Now, Sarah has returned to LA. Not for vengeance, but for love. Before long, Sarah is embroiled in a plot to destroy a Midwestern city with a suitcase nuclear weapon, threatening to land Sarah on death row. Meanwhile, the U.S. ethnic conflict escalates, bringing the entire world to the brink of war."
Raul Ramos y Sanchez is a truly eloquent writer. Pancho Land is a thrilling and very affecting novel, yet it is written with such skill and realism, that while a "seat of your pants" plot, the characters are truly presented in a most intimate and magnificent manner.
As is usual with my reviews, I do not like to rehash plot, as the synopsis above does a fine job of that. What I like to concentrate on is the characters and plot development. Raul Ramos y Sanchez scores a bullseye on both.
Sarah Evans, the central character is so perfectly presented that the reader feels for her and her situation in a most intense manner, She is a unique person, and her traits are so well documented by this most superb of writers. This character is not a cliche..Sarah comes through as a real person- thanks to precise writing.
The plotting is spot on, as the twists and turns as well as action is finely combined with the human drama...this is a true thinking person's thriller!
I found myself glued to each page of PANCHO LAND and can recommend this excellent book to those who enjoy thrillers that are chock full of unforgetable characters and events, written by a magnificent writer-Raul Ramos y Sanchez!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Raul Ramos y Sanchez is a truly eloquent writer. Pancho Land is a thrilling and very affecting novel, yet it is written with such skill and realism, that while a "seat of your pants" plot, the characters are truly presented in a most intimate and magnificent manner.
As is usual with my reviews, I do not like to rehash plot, as the synopsis above does a fine job of that. What I like to concentrate on is the characters and plot development. Raul Ramos y Sanchez scores a bullseye on both.
Sarah Evans, the central character is so perfectly presented that the reader feels for her and her situation in a most intense manner, She is a unique person, and her traits are so well documented by this most superb of writers. This character is not a cliche..Sarah comes through as a real person- thanks to precise writing.
The plotting is spot on, as the twists and turns as well as action is finely combined with the human drama...this is a true thinking person's thriller!
I found myself glued to each page of PANCHO LAND and can recommend this excellent book to those who enjoy thrillers that are chock full of unforgetable characters and events, written by a magnificent writer-Raul Ramos y Sanchez!
A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
December 24, 2012
Raul Ramos y Sanchez turns the world on its head in "Pancho Land," the powerhouse conclusion of his epic Class H Trilogy.
In this final installment, we are witnesses — through the eyes of a journalist looking back from the future — to a savage Latino-Anglo civil war that has engulfed America. Through the hindsight of history, we learn that there is little difference in the two sides. And that is precisely the point.
Certainly there are heroes and villains in the novel. But the book’s true value, both as a piece of fiction and as a frighteningly plausible cautionary tale, is that both sides are tainted by cruel extremism and blind fanaticism. What happens as a result is unthinkable. Or is it? That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself.
There are certainly similarities to the first two books in the series, "America Libre" and "House Divided." But there are also significant stylistic differences. Ramos y Sanchez has become a master at telling the “big” story through a chain of “little” stories, and in this book he takes it to a new level. The often treacherous crosscurrents of personal relationships are what drive the action in "Pancho Land."
In the great tradition of Sinclair Lewis’ "It Can’t Happen Here" and other socio-political classics like it, "Pancho Land" is a masterwork of American fiction. You will find it alternately thrilling and disturbing. But I make you one promise: Long after you turn the last page, you will be thinking about the questions posed by this remarkable book.
I’ll submit one final thought for your consideration. The book’s whole intent is succinctly stated in the last five words of the epilogue. It is this writer’s humble opinion that they should be added to the oath of office for every elected official in our country. Seriously.
In this final installment, we are witnesses — through the eyes of a journalist looking back from the future — to a savage Latino-Anglo civil war that has engulfed America. Through the hindsight of history, we learn that there is little difference in the two sides. And that is precisely the point.
Certainly there are heroes and villains in the novel. But the book’s true value, both as a piece of fiction and as a frighteningly plausible cautionary tale, is that both sides are tainted by cruel extremism and blind fanaticism. What happens as a result is unthinkable. Or is it? That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself.
There are certainly similarities to the first two books in the series, "America Libre" and "House Divided." But there are also significant stylistic differences. Ramos y Sanchez has become a master at telling the “big” story through a chain of “little” stories, and in this book he takes it to a new level. The often treacherous crosscurrents of personal relationships are what drive the action in "Pancho Land."
In the great tradition of Sinclair Lewis’ "It Can’t Happen Here" and other socio-political classics like it, "Pancho Land" is a masterwork of American fiction. You will find it alternately thrilling and disturbing. But I make you one promise: Long after you turn the last page, you will be thinking about the questions posed by this remarkable book.
I’ll submit one final thought for your consideration. The book’s whole intent is succinctly stated in the last five words of the epilogue. It is this writer’s humble opinion that they should be added to the oath of office for every elected official in our country. Seriously.
June 12, 2013
As others have pointed out, one of the strengths of Pancho Land is how smoothly it entwines its deeply emotional stories with a shocking cataclysm, one that starts in “Class H” internment camps and spreads to the entire world.
It’s not always easy to show, without pontificating, how the story we’re reading illustrates larger social and political trends. One of Ramos y Sanchez’s inventions—and I think it’s a bit of genius—is to quote from a book published in 2067, Witness To History, written by one the characters in the novel, the reporter Simon Potts. Potts has clearly turned into a distinguished historian, and gives us, toward the end of the novel, this measured summary:
"The United States was an aging nation, its citizens of military age rapidly declining.... The nations aligned against the United States were awash in youth—youth that through sheer numbers could neutralize the U.S. superiority in conventional weapons."
The calm voice of the historian is interwoven with the vibrant, often devastating stories of Sarah and Mano and Rosa. While history and politics may convince me, the novel moves me. The best fiction is deeper than history, and Simon Potts, with his composure and remove (2067!), is in service to a larger and more startling vision. Pancho Land is a rich brew. I tore through it, then had to slow down and think it over.
It’s not always easy to show, without pontificating, how the story we’re reading illustrates larger social and political trends. One of Ramos y Sanchez’s inventions—and I think it’s a bit of genius—is to quote from a book published in 2067, Witness To History, written by one the characters in the novel, the reporter Simon Potts. Potts has clearly turned into a distinguished historian, and gives us, toward the end of the novel, this measured summary:
"The United States was an aging nation, its citizens of military age rapidly declining.... The nations aligned against the United States were awash in youth—youth that through sheer numbers could neutralize the U.S. superiority in conventional weapons."
The calm voice of the historian is interwoven with the vibrant, often devastating stories of Sarah and Mano and Rosa. While history and politics may convince me, the novel moves me. The best fiction is deeper than history, and Simon Potts, with his composure and remove (2067!), is in service to a larger and more startling vision. Pancho Land is a rich brew. I tore through it, then had to slow down and think it over.
February 11, 2013
SUPERB!!! Is all I can say. Mr Sanchez's vivid imagination led me to imagine myself "in the book". I felt every emotion the character's went through. After America Libre , I was afraid that,House divided and Pancho Land would fall short but to my amazement Mr Sanchez keep my on my toes from beginning to the end. I grew to love the characters, that when Ramon's character died, I couldn't help but feel sadness,my heart broke and my eyes started to water and I started to uncontrollably blink my eyes from keeping me from crying. A couple of times while reading on the bus, I almost missed my stop because I visualized every scene , I was in character !! ..... Mr Sanchez you left me hungry for more. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us. Class H Trilogy is a collection that every latino should read. And in my opinion Mr Sanchez is the greatest author ever and the should be President!!! Thank you Mr Sanchez for sharing and showing us what a literary genius you are !!!
Class H memeber ,
Lala Flores
Class H memeber ,
Lala Flores
November 5, 2012
We were sent an advance copy of Pancho Land by the author Raul. My partner had purchased the first book, America Libre. I was hooked with the characters Josefina and Manolo along with Ramon and Rosa. In Pancho Land, I related to first time mother Sarah Evans, who wins me over by how she puts her life on the line for her child and family. Her struggles to keep the family together is something we all do on a daily basis when we face adversity. Having read two out of the three books, I do recommend reading Raul Ramos y Sanchez's works. You will find yourself so engrossed in the characters, you will find yourself wanting more. I read the book in two days and could not put it down. Thanks again Raul!
October 30, 2012
This is the final book of the "Class H" series, and I read it shortly after finishing MOCKINGJAY, the last book of the HUNGER GAMES series. I was struck by the similarities. Both are well-written adventure novels, both are about rebellions, and both end with a sober acknowledgement that there's no such thing as winning. I applaud Raul Ramos y Sanchez for having written a truly sensitive cliff hanger.
February 7, 2013
An epic story that spans the globe! The characters go through different arcs in the book, combined with the writer's style, make for an excellent read. In the process, the author manages to educate the reader at the same time. I found it to be timely, thoughtful and thrilling.
February 6, 2013
This book is wonderful it is a story that will have you wondering what will happen next. I really like the ending the final words spoken in this story are so very true.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews