The Changing Wind

by Karena Shields

Karena Shields' memoir of growing up in the early 21st century on a FINCA in Mexico.

98 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1934

Reviews

[James Carmichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is completely fantastic, and is one of the most unexpected treasures I've stumbled across in awhile. Karena Shields grew up on a Finca in Mexico in the early 20th century after her father agreed to run a rubber plantation there; she returned there later in life in some sort of economically diminished state to live on and semi-run the now semi-finca. This book is a memoir of her childhood on the finca, and it's magical; imagine a (to me) much richer _The Secret Garden_ that is (inasmuch as we can tell) based on fact and you've got a start. Shields just happens also to be a wonderful writer: her handling of spirituality, nature, and how she experiences both of those through a child's eyes is particularly striking, and there's a memorable phrase or image on nearly every page. It's a quick read, sort of out the blue, and completely great.