"Bitter Grounds" is a novel that spans multiple generations of Salvadoran women, delving into their lives against the backdrop of El Salvador's coffee industry, which shaped the country's history. The story revolves around two pairs of women whose lives are intertwined.
The first pair consists of Elsie, an American woman who marries into a coffee plantation-owning family, and Esperanza, her Salvadoran maid. Elsie's marriage brings her to El Salvador, where she becomes immersed in the world of coffee farming. Meanwhile, Esperanza is deeply connected to the land and culture of El Salvador, and she becomes an integral part of Elsie's family.
The second pair of women includes Elsie's daughter, Aurora, and her granddaughter, Grace. Aurora grows up in the privileged environment of the coffee plantation but is exposed to the social and political unrest of the country. Grace, on the other hand, is born in the United States and is distanced from her Salvadoran heritage. However, she embarks on a journey to rediscover her roots and understand the legacy of her family and their connection to the coffee industry.
Through these intertwined narratives, "Bitter Grounds" explores themes of family, identity, love, and the complex history of El Salvador. It offers a personal and multi-generational perspective on the impact of the coffee industry on Salvadoran society.
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