Mariela in the Desert

Mariela and Jos were once a famous couple in the Mexican artists' inner circle, but now their daughter has grown up and run away, their friends are too famous to call, and artistic inspiration has been strangled by isolation and lies. Mariela in the Desert is a deadly mystery-a layered yet profoundly honest story of what happens to a family when creativity is forced to dry and wither away.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 90 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2023
Publisher: Samuel French Ltd

Once upon a time, Mariela and Jos were the epitome of the Mexican art scene's golden couple. They had created a beautiful family and an artist colony that welcomed the likes of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Rufino Tamayo. However, as time passed, their daughter grew up and left home, their friends became too famous to bother with them, and the isolation and lies that had crept into their lives stifled their artistic inspiration. Set in the arid northern Mexican desert in 1950, Mariela in the Desert is a captivating mystery that delves deep into the consequences of a family forced to endure the drying up of their creativity.

Mariela and Jos had built their dream home in the desert, surrounded by the vast expanse of the desert landscape. It was a place of peace and tranquility, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, as time went on, the isolation began to take its toll on them. They were surrounded by nothing but sand and rocks, and the constant heat of the sun was beginning to wear on them.

Mariela, in particular, was struggling to find her place in the world. She had always been a creative person, but the desert had stripped her of her inspiration. She spent her days wandering through the desert, looking for something, anything, that would spark her creativity. But nothing seemed to work.

Jos, on the other hand, was trying to hold on to their dream. He was determined to keep the artist colony alive, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness. He spent his days working tirelessly on his art, hoping that one day he would create something that would make him famous.

But as the years went by, their situation only worsened. Their daughter grew up and left home, and their friends became too busy with their own lives to visit them. The colony began to fade away, and the once-beautiful home that they had built began to fall into disrepair.

Mariela's creativity continued to wither away, and she became increasingly despondent. She spent her days sitting alone in her room, staring at the walls, unable to create anything. Jos, on the other hand, became more and more isolated, spending his days working on his art and avoiding any contact with others.

One day, a group of tourists stumbled upon their colony. They were fascinated by the beautiful art that was on display, and they were eager to learn more about the artists who had created it. Mariela, who had been hiding in her room for weeks, was hesitant to meet them. But Jos, who had always been more outgoing, welcomed them with open arms.

As the tourists began to explore the colony, they began to notice something strange. The art that was on display was unlike anything they had ever seen before. It was raw and emotional, and it seemed to capture the essence of the desert in a way that no other art had ever done.

The tourists were intrigued, and they began to ask questions about the artists who had created the art. They were surprised to learn that Mariela and Jos were the ones who had created it. They had been hiding away in the desert, creating their art in isolation, without any recognition or fame.

The tourists were fascinated by the story of Mariela and Jos, and they began to spread the word about their art. Soon, their colony was back in business, and their art was being celebrated all over the world. Mariela and Jos were finally able to gain the recognition that they had always deserved, and their creativity was once again flourishing.

However, their journey was not without its challenges. They had to navigate the treacherous waters of fame and fortune, and they had to deal with the expectations that came with it. They had to learn to balance their artistic ambitions with their personal lives, and they had to be careful not to let the fame and attention go to their heads.

In the end, Mariela and Jos were able to overcome these challenges and continue to create art that was both beautiful and meaningful. They had learned that creativity was not just about creating art, but about living a life that was filled with passion and purpose. And they had learned that even in the most isolated and desolate places, there was always the potential for creativity to thrive.

Mariela in the Desert is a powerful and moving story that explores the depths of the human soul and the power of creativity. It is a story that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for light and hope. It is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

ISBN-13: 9780573710377