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The Bullet Swallower
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Historical Fiction (2024)A dazzling magical realism western in the vein of Cormac McCarthy meets Gabriel García Márquez, The Bullet Swallower follows a Mexican bandido as he sets off for Texas to save his family, only to encounter a mysterious figure who has come, finally, to collect a cosmic debt generations in the making.
In 1895, Antonio Sonoro is the latest in a long line of ruthless men. He’s good with his gun and is drawn to trouble but he’s also out of money and out of options. A drought has ravaged the town of Dorado, Mexico, where he lives with his wife and children, and so when he hears about a train laden with gold and other treasures, he sets off for Houston to rob it—with his younger brother Hugo in tow. But when the heist goes awry and Hugo is killed by the Texas Rangers, Antonio finds himself launched into a quest for revenge that endangers not only his life and his family, but his eternal soul.
In 1964, Jaime Sonoro is Mexico’s most renowned actor and singer. But his comfortable life is disrupted when he discovers a book that purports to tell the entire history of his family beginning with Cain and Abel. In its ancient pages, Jaime learns about the multitude of horrific crimes committed by his ancestors. And when the same mysterious figure from Antonio’s timeline shows up in Mexico City, Jaime realizes that he may be the one who has to pay for his ancestors’ crimes, unless he can discover the true story of his grandfather Antonio, the legendary bandido El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower.
A family saga that’s epic in scope and magical in its blood, and based loosely on the author’s own great-grandfather, The Bullet Swallower tackles border politics, intergenerational trauma, and the legacies of racism and colonialism in a lush setting and stunning prose that asks who pays for the sins of our ancestors, and whether it is possible to be better than our forebears.
In 1895, Antonio Sonoro is the latest in a long line of ruthless men. He’s good with his gun and is drawn to trouble but he’s also out of money and out of options. A drought has ravaged the town of Dorado, Mexico, where he lives with his wife and children, and so when he hears about a train laden with gold and other treasures, he sets off for Houston to rob it—with his younger brother Hugo in tow. But when the heist goes awry and Hugo is killed by the Texas Rangers, Antonio finds himself launched into a quest for revenge that endangers not only his life and his family, but his eternal soul.
In 1964, Jaime Sonoro is Mexico’s most renowned actor and singer. But his comfortable life is disrupted when he discovers a book that purports to tell the entire history of his family beginning with Cain and Abel. In its ancient pages, Jaime learns about the multitude of horrific crimes committed by his ancestors. And when the same mysterious figure from Antonio’s timeline shows up in Mexico City, Jaime realizes that he may be the one who has to pay for his ancestors’ crimes, unless he can discover the true story of his grandfather Antonio, the legendary bandido El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower.
A family saga that’s epic in scope and magical in its blood, and based loosely on the author’s own great-grandfather, The Bullet Swallower tackles border politics, intergenerational trauma, and the legacies of racism and colonialism in a lush setting and stunning prose that asks who pays for the sins of our ancestors, and whether it is possible to be better than our forebears.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2024
About the author
Elizabeth Gonzalez James
6 books455 followersElizabeth is the author of MONA AT SEA, FIVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PETER SELLERS, and THE BULLET SWALLOWER. Originally from South Texas, Elizabeth currently lives with her family in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,869 reviews
May 1, 2024
I mean….I thought it was ok.
November 30, 2023
Publication date: January, 2024
What a magical, riveting, put you in a daze story. After finishing reading, I am still dwelling dreamily in a landscape switching back and forth from Texas to Mexico, with characters still living in my imagination. Well written, truly engaging, story. Enough. Recommended.
My thanks to the author, Elizabeth Gonzalez James, and the publisher, Simon and Schuster, for my ARC of this book. # Goodreads Giveaway
What a magical, riveting, put you in a daze story. After finishing reading, I am still dwelling dreamily in a landscape switching back and forth from Texas to Mexico, with characters still living in my imagination. Well written, truly engaging, story. Enough. Recommended.
My thanks to the author, Elizabeth Gonzalez James, and the publisher, Simon and Schuster, for my ARC of this book. # Goodreads Giveaway
February 6, 2024
"The past is not so far away as you might think. Nor the future, for that matter. No man lives free from history."
This is an immersive western that begins with a train robbery gone wrong, and ends in remorse and redemption. Be warned - the taut, compelling tale is frequently interrupted by some magical realism crap. This annoyed the hell out of me, though it all came together nicely in the end. Here's another one of those books that's hard to categorize - not "western" enough for the Louis L'Amour crowd, too violent and macho for the ladies' book clubs. I'll definitely push this on my library's patrons, but I'm unsure what the reception will be.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the read.
This is an immersive western that begins with a train robbery gone wrong, and ends in remorse and redemption. Be warned - the taut, compelling tale is frequently interrupted by some magical realism crap. This annoyed the hell out of me, though it all came together nicely in the end. Here's another one of those books that's hard to categorize - not "western" enough for the Louis L'Amour crowd, too violent and macho for the ladies' book clubs. I'll definitely push this on my library's patrons, but I'm unsure what the reception will be.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the read.
December 13, 2024
Working Magic in the West
“A dazzling magical realism western in the vein of Cormac McCarthy meets Gabriel García Márquez…” Talk about setting some lofty expectations… Fortunately, I was seduced by the publisher’s tantalizing blurb.
“The Bullet Swallower” covers generations of a Mexican family, starting with a heartless and barbaric mine owner in the early 1800’s, continuing with his fearsome bandido son, and winding up with a 1960’s box office star, Jaime Sonoro. The family’s venomous history is revealed in a manuscript delivered to Jaime, who now struggles with his accountability. This is complicated by the arrival of a shadowy figure, Remedios, apparently present to extract justice from the family.
Antonio Sonoro, Jaime’s grandfather and the son of the mine owner, is a major focus here. He was the outlaw known as El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower. A good deal of the book follows the explosive action as he executes a plot to rob a train– a doomed adventure which costs him everything he holds dear and forges a quest for revenge. Eventually we witness this thirst for retribution transformed into a burning desire for redemption. The final puzzle is of how Jaime can atone for the sins of generations.
Author Elizabeth Gonzalez James has masterfully melded themes of the Old West, border life, racism, magical realism, and the balancing of personal identity versus inherited accountability. She loosely based some of the characters on some family history… and wrote in a note worthy of the Coen brothers, "Everything in this book is true except for the stuff I made up.” This is an entertaining read and lived up to the hype.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster, NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Elizabeth Gonzalez James for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
“A dazzling magical realism western in the vein of Cormac McCarthy meets Gabriel García Márquez…” Talk about setting some lofty expectations… Fortunately, I was seduced by the publisher’s tantalizing blurb.
“The Bullet Swallower” covers generations of a Mexican family, starting with a heartless and barbaric mine owner in the early 1800’s, continuing with his fearsome bandido son, and winding up with a 1960’s box office star, Jaime Sonoro. The family’s venomous history is revealed in a manuscript delivered to Jaime, who now struggles with his accountability. This is complicated by the arrival of a shadowy figure, Remedios, apparently present to extract justice from the family.
Antonio Sonoro, Jaime’s grandfather and the son of the mine owner, is a major focus here. He was the outlaw known as El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower. A good deal of the book follows the explosive action as he executes a plot to rob a train– a doomed adventure which costs him everything he holds dear and forges a quest for revenge. Eventually we witness this thirst for retribution transformed into a burning desire for redemption. The final puzzle is of how Jaime can atone for the sins of generations.
Author Elizabeth Gonzalez James has masterfully melded themes of the Old West, border life, racism, magical realism, and the balancing of personal identity versus inherited accountability. She loosely based some of the characters on some family history… and wrote in a note worthy of the Coen brothers, "Everything in this book is true except for the stuff I made up.” This is an entertaining read and lived up to the hype.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster, NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Elizabeth Gonzalez James for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2023
This is a story of a family, set in two time frames, 1895 and 1964, with settings in both Mexico and Texas, and sprinkled with just a touch of magical realism.
A story of times and places, of the stories of generations past, of colonialism, the history of the relationship between Mexico and Texas over the years, the impact it has on both places, and the people who live there, replete with a train robbery, and a journey of revenge, this story revolves around a book. A book that includes the history of the Sonoro family which goes back to the time of Cain and Abel. It is a book that was gifted to Jamie Sonoro in the 1960’s by a woman who he did not know, a gift which brings the story back to the family.
Loosely based on the author’s great-grandfather, this is an epic story which also includes many more serious themes, some which involve politics, border policies, and racism, all of which are woven through this story with a sense of realism.
Pub Date: 23 Jan 2024
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Simon & Schuster
January 19, 2024
I need to start off with saying that westerns are not in general my favorite, but I really love magical realism and this book was both so I had no idea how I would find this book when I started. In the beginning I wasn’t sure I would like it, but as this story developed I really began to enjoy it. I liked the adventure but I really loved the exploration of family history and how it played into the character development. I also really liked the magical realism part and thought that really added a lot to the story. Jamie is given a book and despite it having a nasty smell it is about his family history and he can’t help but read it. The more he reads the more he understands why his father always refused to talk about his family’s history.
April 22, 2024
Thank you, NoveList Plus for recommending this book to me in my search for Westerns with supernatural or paranormal elements written by women. I checked this out from my library through the Libby app so I need to buy myself a physical copy for my bookshelves. I'm so in love with this book and the incredible amount of heart & soul Elizabeth Gonzalez James put into writing it.
This is a Gothic Western, a family saga with magical realism and dual timelines--my Patreon members will get a full review soon.
This is a Gothic Western, a family saga with magical realism and dual timelines--my Patreon members will get a full review soon.
January 15, 2024
Wow I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I’ve never thought of myself as a western fan but add in a bit of magical realism and I’m here for it. I think this is a story that will stick with me for a long time.
January 25, 2024
Well this just might be one of the worst books I’ve read to date. I couldn’t get into this book AT ALL and probably should have DNF’D it within the first 100 pages but I’m not a book quitter. There’s not a single thing I liked about this book and the story just seemed to flatline even thought there was action happening on the pages. I normally like Western stuff but this was just not it.
April 15, 2024
*cries in not-so-evil-after-all yeehaw*
December 4, 2023
The Bullet Swallower is a beautifully compelling saga of identity, love, and the tangled interplay of fate and choice. Gonzalez James weaves the tales of Antonio Sonoro and his descendants across time, briefly spanning from the establishing generations, up through to Antonio, and later on to his grandson Jaime. It's an amazing genre mash-up with elements of magical realism, reflective of a Mexican, Western-style Homeric epic.
In 1895, after embarking on a treacherous journey to rob a gold-laden train, Antonio seeks revenge after the death of his brother at the hands of the Texas Rangers. Little does he know that the fate of his soul has been in the balance since his birth, when a mysterious figure decides to wait and see if Antonio can fulfill his obligations, and that his very actions may determine whether his descendants will continue to pay for the crimes of the Sonoro men.
In 1964, his grandson Jaime, a famous actor and singer, stumbles upon a book revealing a dark family history. When the same mysterious figure appears in Jaime's timeline, it's no longer clear whose soul will be made to pay.
Gonzalez James delves into intergenerational trauma, examining it both through the focused lens of the Sonoro men and the broader context of colonialism, border politics, and resultant racism. She deftly explores whether it's possible to escape the legacy of our predecessors' sins.
What begins as a straightforward tale of revenge, quickly unfolds to be a sprawling story about perception, reinvention, and the enduring quest for redemption. Antonio Sonoro, who becomes known by his nickname, El Tragabalas ("The Bullet Swallower"), is a powerhouse of a main character. His journey is double sided, one of crossing deserts and taking names that builds in momentum to clash with the other of self-discovery and transformation. The Bullet Swallower is a tangible adventure through challenging landscapes and the inner turmoil of confronting your true self.
Also, as this story is loosely based on the author's own great-grandfather, be sure to check out the Author's Note at the end.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.
In 1895, after embarking on a treacherous journey to rob a gold-laden train, Antonio seeks revenge after the death of his brother at the hands of the Texas Rangers. Little does he know that the fate of his soul has been in the balance since his birth, when a mysterious figure decides to wait and see if Antonio can fulfill his obligations, and that his very actions may determine whether his descendants will continue to pay for the crimes of the Sonoro men.
In 1964, his grandson Jaime, a famous actor and singer, stumbles upon a book revealing a dark family history. When the same mysterious figure appears in Jaime's timeline, it's no longer clear whose soul will be made to pay.
Gonzalez James delves into intergenerational trauma, examining it both through the focused lens of the Sonoro men and the broader context of colonialism, border politics, and resultant racism. She deftly explores whether it's possible to escape the legacy of our predecessors' sins.
What begins as a straightforward tale of revenge, quickly unfolds to be a sprawling story about perception, reinvention, and the enduring quest for redemption. Antonio Sonoro, who becomes known by his nickname, El Tragabalas ("The Bullet Swallower"), is a powerhouse of a main character. His journey is double sided, one of crossing deserts and taking names that builds in momentum to clash with the other of self-discovery and transformation. The Bullet Swallower is a tangible adventure through challenging landscapes and the inner turmoil of confronting your true self.
Also, as this story is loosely based on the author's own great-grandfather, be sure to check out the Author's Note at the end.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This affected neither my opinion of the book nor the content of my review.
February 4, 2024
An engaging experimental western with some magical realism thrown in for good measure that explores the impact of the actions of ones ancestors. It asks some great questions, is written very nicely with a deft touch of description and dialogue and there were some solid set pieces. I took a while to warm up to the style and the characters but after 60 or so pages I was immersed and invested. I also love how it is based on a real person, a relative of the author from the 19th century.
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January 2, 2024Why I love it
By Fiora Elbers-Tibbitts
The first time I read Gabriel García Márquez in the eighth grade he completely changed the way I think about language—his sentences had magic and played by their own rules! So when I saw that The Bullet Swallower was being compared to García Márquez, I was a little skeptical. But when I began reading this impressive, genre-defying epic, I happily discovered it is worthy of the comparison.
The Bullet Swallower takes us from the late 1800s to the 1960s, across Mexico and Texas, following the no-holds-barred vigilante Antonio Sonoro and his more law-abiding grandson Jaime. After a train heist turns deadly and Antonio’s brother Hugo is killed, he will stop at nothing to avenge his death. 70 years in the future, grandson Jaime feels the reverberations of Antonio’s violence, and a haunting figure from the past convinces him that he’s the only person who can atone for his family’s sins.
Reading this book is a visceral experience; you can feel the crunch of gravel under your feet, the blazing hot sun beating down, the sand and silt and dirt coating your whole body as you journey with Antonio across the desert. The Bullet Swallower blends the swagger and stakes of a western, the well-researched details of a historical novel, and a dash of magical realism into something beautifully indescribable and wholly unique. If you’re looking for a transportive read, this is it.
By Fiora Elbers-Tibbitts
The first time I read Gabriel García Márquez in the eighth grade he completely changed the way I think about language—his sentences had magic and played by their own rules! So when I saw that The Bullet Swallower was being compared to García Márquez, I was a little skeptical. But when I began reading this impressive, genre-defying epic, I happily discovered it is worthy of the comparison.
The Bullet Swallower takes us from the late 1800s to the 1960s, across Mexico and Texas, following the no-holds-barred vigilante Antonio Sonoro and his more law-abiding grandson Jaime. After a train heist turns deadly and Antonio’s brother Hugo is killed, he will stop at nothing to avenge his death. 70 years in the future, grandson Jaime feels the reverberations of Antonio’s violence, and a haunting figure from the past convinces him that he’s the only person who can atone for his family’s sins.
Reading this book is a visceral experience; you can feel the crunch of gravel under your feet, the blazing hot sun beating down, the sand and silt and dirt coating your whole body as you journey with Antonio across the desert. The Bullet Swallower blends the swagger and stakes of a western, the well-researched details of a historical novel, and a dash of magical realism into something beautifully indescribable and wholly unique. If you’re looking for a transportive read, this is it.
January 12, 2024
The Bullet Swallower is one of those books that I pick up, and am truly blown away by the prose. E.G. James has a rare command of the language, with every sentence and every paragraph a masterful stroke in a wild, imaginative plot. I'm not into Westerns, but this book yanked me deep into its pages. Dual timelines are hard to wrangle, but you'd never know it in this novel. It's no wonder that I keep seeing this book pop up on the "most anticipated" lists for 2024. It has easily earned its place. I hope this book lands a movie...it would be so meta, in the very best way.
Thank you, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley, for the early read on this book!
Thank you, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley, for the early read on this book!
January 18, 2024
I started reading this at 7PM and finished it at 3AM the next morning. Thankful for Kindle dark mode with books like these. It felt like I was an invisible companion on Antonio’s journey, thirsting with him in the arid desert for justice and vengeance.
I’ve never been a fan of Westerns, but from the perspective of an infamous Mexican bandido with a half-golden heart, I was rapt. This tale has the perfect mix of historical detail, gorgeous prose, vivid imagery, and just enough magical realism to deepen the dual timelines and encourage existential questioning.
As an exploration of human nature, The Bullet Swallower is unflinching in exposing the dualities that exist in every person and everything. Some questions I found posed by this novel include: Is it possible to overcome burdensome ancestral legacies? Whose responsibility is it to end these so-called curses? Do good or bad really exist, or do we walk in a sea of gray? And as Antonio learned in his adventures, one can never guess where allies will come from or what they’ll look like.
I definitely recommend The Bullet Swallower if you’re a fan of magical realism, historical fiction, Westerns, and don’t take issue with the complexities that come with dual timelines and the mysteries of multi-verse. This was a fun ride that left me checking my boots for sand.
I’ve never been a fan of Westerns, but from the perspective of an infamous Mexican bandido with a half-golden heart, I was rapt. This tale has the perfect mix of historical detail, gorgeous prose, vivid imagery, and just enough magical realism to deepen the dual timelines and encourage existential questioning.
As an exploration of human nature, The Bullet Swallower is unflinching in exposing the dualities that exist in every person and everything. Some questions I found posed by this novel include: Is it possible to overcome burdensome ancestral legacies? Whose responsibility is it to end these so-called curses? Do good or bad really exist, or do we walk in a sea of gray? And as Antonio learned in his adventures, one can never guess where allies will come from or what they’ll look like.
I definitely recommend The Bullet Swallower if you’re a fan of magical realism, historical fiction, Westerns, and don’t take issue with the complexities that come with dual timelines and the mysteries of multi-verse. This was a fun ride that left me checking my boots for sand.
January 20, 2024
This historical fiction debut has been getting lots of hype and while I did enjoy it, it did not blow me away. If you enjoy books like Outlawed by Anna North or well written Westerns with a touch of magical realism and very memorable characters, this is definitely one to give a try. Personally I thought it was longer than it needed to be and struggled to get as invested in the story as I had hoped. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Simon and Schuster Audio for a complimentary digital and ALC copy in exchange for my honest review!
January 22, 2024
Many thanks to my friends at @bookclubfriends @simon.books and @simon.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.
Wildly entertaining. An epic adventure and dazzling saga. This was my last read of 2023, and WHAT a way to send out the year!
Banditos and gunslingers. A train heist. A disfigured man seeking both revenge and redemption.
Ambitious in scope and rooted in her own family history, Gonzalez completely WOWed me with this genre-bending blend of action-packed Western, dramatic multigenerational narrative, and sprawling historical fiction.
This book was utterly captivating. Between the imaginative plot, the cinematic details, the evocative characterization, and the immersive storytelling, I found myself absorbed in the narrative and cheering for this anti-hero!
Beyond the adventure, Gonzalez deftly reflects on generational trauma and the legacy of colonialism and racism along with border politics. The questions posed are deeply meaningful and provocatively poignant.
This sprawling saga comes in at just under 300 pages, making it apparent that Gonzales’ writing is highly skilled and masterfully honed.
This is the kind of book I recommend with abandon. It’s propulsive. It’s addictive. It’s a flawless blend of entertaining and impactful. A must read, indeed.
🎧 I partnered the audiobook with my print copy for a fully immersive read, which is the way to go. The narration by Lee Osorio is exceptional. His deep voice with its gravely texture brings both the language and adventure to life, as though Antonio Sonoro himself.
➡️Don’t miss out on the author’s note at the end.
Wildly entertaining. An epic adventure and dazzling saga. This was my last read of 2023, and WHAT a way to send out the year!
Banditos and gunslingers. A train heist. A disfigured man seeking both revenge and redemption.
Ambitious in scope and rooted in her own family history, Gonzalez completely WOWed me with this genre-bending blend of action-packed Western, dramatic multigenerational narrative, and sprawling historical fiction.
This book was utterly captivating. Between the imaginative plot, the cinematic details, the evocative characterization, and the immersive storytelling, I found myself absorbed in the narrative and cheering for this anti-hero!
Beyond the adventure, Gonzalez deftly reflects on generational trauma and the legacy of colonialism and racism along with border politics. The questions posed are deeply meaningful and provocatively poignant.
This sprawling saga comes in at just under 300 pages, making it apparent that Gonzales’ writing is highly skilled and masterfully honed.
This is the kind of book I recommend with abandon. It’s propulsive. It’s addictive. It’s a flawless blend of entertaining and impactful. A must read, indeed.
🎧 I partnered the audiobook with my print copy for a fully immersive read, which is the way to go. The narration by Lee Osorio is exceptional. His deep voice with its gravely texture brings both the language and adventure to life, as though Antonio Sonoro himself.
➡️Don’t miss out on the author’s note at the end.
January 6, 2025
2 stars
This is not a book I would recommend. This is also not the first time I tried to read this book. But this time I tried the print edition and also the audio. I just could not concentrate on it. I did manage to complete the book since it is for my in-person book club and I did not want to sound like an idiot reviewing it with them, but it was not easy. I think the book has potential - the story's premise is good, and I loved Remedio and how he was incorporated into the story. A story built on the great grandfather of the author, so definitely it has meaning for her. However this was just not a book for me.
This is not a book I would recommend. This is also not the first time I tried to read this book. But this time I tried the print edition and also the audio. I just could not concentrate on it. I did manage to complete the book since it is for my in-person book club and I did not want to sound like an idiot reviewing it with them, but it was not easy. I think the book has potential - the story's premise is good, and I loved Remedio and how he was incorporated into the story. A story built on the great grandfather of the author, so definitely it has meaning for her. However this was just not a book for me.
March 13, 2024
This is a tale of revenge and revenge, as we know it, can be messy. This book was advertised as a "magical realism western in the vein of Cormac McCarthy meets Gabriel Garcia Marquez." While I can see some inspiration of these two authors in this work, I can't say that this book has many magical elements to it. The part that impressed me the most about this story is that it's largely based on real events that took place in Texas at the end of 19th century. I enjoyed the plot of this novel but I thought that some parts were hard to believe. Additionally, I would have liked the author to spend more time on the parallel story in the 1960s.
I would recommend this book to any fans of westerns, historical fiction and fiction inspired by true events. Additionally, readers who like parallel narratives should like this book. Overall, I liked this story but I felt that it was missing something. 3.5 stars.
I would recommend this book to any fans of westerns, historical fiction and fiction inspired by true events. Additionally, readers who like parallel narratives should like this book. Overall, I liked this story but I felt that it was missing something. 3.5 stars.
January 7, 2024
“It is a hard thing to be a good man”
I’m just such a sucker for duel timelines and western backdrops. Sprinkle in a cursed family name and a Mephistopheles-type and I am hooked, line, and sinker.
The prose is delicious. Everything about it is just a delight on my eyes. Once I got this in the mail yesterday, I could hardly put it down, and isn’t that endorsement enough?
I’m just such a sucker for duel timelines and western backdrops. Sprinkle in a cursed family name and a Mephistopheles-type and I am hooked, line, and sinker.
The prose is delicious. Everything about it is just a delight on my eyes. Once I got this in the mail yesterday, I could hardly put it down, and isn’t that endorsement enough?
June 10, 2024
I came across this book thanks to a recommendation on a book match I did at my library, I don’t typically go for westerns but in the past I have enjoyed historical fiction books that take place in Mexico, so I decided to give this one a chance! I enjoyed the dual time lines and thought the author did really well with making sure the reader knew you were in the 1800s and then the 1960’s. Even though Antonio was a bad man, I loved his character and witnessing his development and how much he changed within a very short time span was amazing and tbh I almost cried at the end due to his redemption. In all I’d say this book was three and a half stars for me, I didn’t love it but I enjoyed it and will be looking for other titles by this same author!
Also, one last thought - I know some people didn’t vibe with the magical realism, but I like it. I thought it was simple enough and to the point.
Also, one last thought - I know some people didn’t vibe with the magical realism, but I like it. I thought it was simple enough and to the point.
January 13, 2024
This book is so unlike anything I’ve ever read. I’m usually not one to pick up a Western cowboy book but the title and the promise of magical realism sucked me in.
The Bullet Swallower follows Antonio Sonoro in 1895 on his quest for revenge against the Texas Rangers that killed his brother. We also follow Jaime Sonoro, his grandson, in 1965 as he unravels his family history and the curse that’s folllwed them through centuries.
One thing about me is I love a good revenge story so I ate this book up. The way the two timelines were weaved together was magical. The writing was beautiful. I picked it up wanting something different from my usual reads and I definitely got that! 💛
The Bullet Swallower follows Antonio Sonoro in 1895 on his quest for revenge against the Texas Rangers that killed his brother. We also follow Jaime Sonoro, his grandson, in 1965 as he unravels his family history and the curse that’s folllwed them through centuries.
One thing about me is I love a good revenge story so I ate this book up. The way the two timelines were weaved together was magical. The writing was beautiful. I picked it up wanting something different from my usual reads and I definitely got that! 💛
January 22, 2022
“Please God, don’t let me die in Texas.”
Duuuuudddee WHAT A RIDE. This book is the mirror image of a western. No Country for Old Men meets The Odyssey… killer combo.
We got magical realism, hell on earth, emissaries of death, prostitutes, Brits, horses, Texas Rangers, and a BAD DUDE as our protagonist.
The biggest surprise was that it’s funny, too. Nice.
Duuuuudddee WHAT A RIDE. This book is the mirror image of a western. No Country for Old Men meets The Odyssey… killer combo.
We got magical realism, hell on earth, emissaries of death, prostitutes, Brits, horses, Texas Rangers, and a BAD DUDE as our protagonist.
The biggest surprise was that it’s funny, too. Nice.
January 28, 2024
This book had a very slow start, but I really came to enjoy the message of the book. I don't read many westerns so I don't know how much pull my opinion should have. I enjoyed this book and appreciated the magical realism aspect.
January 6, 2024
The problem was me...not the book.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for the early copy of the audio and physical copies of "The Bullet Swallower." This fantasy set in the west comes out on January 16th!
I haven't really dipped my toes into the "western" genre & seeing Elizabeth Gonzalez James newest on Simon Books Buddy program gave me the itch to try something new. What really piqued my interest was magical realism. You can never go wrong when there is a fantasy genre mash-up...right?
I was wrong but I think this is a "me" problem for why this book didn't work because there was a LOT to love about this book. It gave me the vibes of A Christmas Carol but crossed with Red Dead Redemption.
To give you a quick break down of what this book has to offer... it's basically "a family legacy is haunted by a grim reaper shadowy figure because of an ancestors evil choices and death is back to reap havoc on Jamie, our present day family member, to get what he is owed." The past and present point of view was truly what kept me going...but I will say I was WAY more invested in Antonio's story. Why?
It was filled with action!!! I mean...duh...it wouldn't be a proper western without A L L T H E V I O L E N C E! Guns, explosions and stabbing...oh my...yetttttt I think the gore in this one was a lot. It's very detailed. If you don't want to know what it feels like to get shot in the back of the head. This book probably isn't for you.
The vibes were SICK but I think I wanted more fantasy and less present day point of view. I was way too invested in the Sonoro family history & got really bored when we switched back to Jamie. To sum it up...some positives....tons of action! The POV switches that are dope (some of the time). James hints at the end that the plot was taken right from her personal family history which I thought was very creative & unique. Big bonus points for that!
Negatives...there was WAY too much going on. It felt like there were two stories going on. The characters I ended up loving got killed so I didn't end up having anyone to root for in the end. The gore was way too graphic. There wasn't enough fantasy.
This won't be my last western *cough* Done & Dusted *cough* but I will say it was not a great start...yeesh.
🐎 Red Dead Redemption & Indiana Jones Vibes
🤠 Adventurous
🚂 Treasure Hunting
☠️ GORE
🐎 Family History
🤠 Past & Present POV
🚂 Anti-Hero
You know I have unhinged thoughts about the audiobook too. *clears throat* The narrator did an awesome job! I thought they casted him perfectly. He fit what I imagined Antonio's voice to be. The southern accents worked. The pacing was a tad slow at 1.25x speed but that didn't necessarily take away from his performance. I was disappointed with how he represented Remedio. It ended up sounding robotic + monotone. I expected more from a character that embodies the grim reaper. But enjoyable audiobook experience!
Thank you Simon & Schuster for the early copy of the audio and physical copies of "The Bullet Swallower." This fantasy set in the west comes out on January 16th!
I haven't really dipped my toes into the "western" genre & seeing Elizabeth Gonzalez James newest on Simon Books Buddy program gave me the itch to try something new. What really piqued my interest was magical realism. You can never go wrong when there is a fantasy genre mash-up...right?
I was wrong but I think this is a "me" problem for why this book didn't work because there was a LOT to love about this book. It gave me the vibes of A Christmas Carol but crossed with Red Dead Redemption.
To give you a quick break down of what this book has to offer... it's basically "a family legacy is haunted by a grim reaper shadowy figure because of an ancestors evil choices and death is back to reap havoc on Jamie, our present day family member, to get what he is owed." The past and present point of view was truly what kept me going...but I will say I was WAY more invested in Antonio's story. Why?
It was filled with action!!! I mean...duh...it wouldn't be a proper western without A L L T H E V I O L E N C E! Guns, explosions and stabbing...oh my...yetttttt I think the gore in this one was a lot. It's very detailed. If you don't want to know what it feels like to get shot in the back of the head. This book probably isn't for you.
The vibes were SICK but I think I wanted more fantasy and less present day point of view. I was way too invested in the Sonoro family history & got really bored when we switched back to Jamie. To sum it up...some positives....tons of action! The POV switches that are dope (some of the time). James hints at the end that the plot was taken right from her personal family history which I thought was very creative & unique. Big bonus points for that!
Negatives...there was WAY too much going on. It felt like there were two stories going on. The characters I ended up loving got killed so I didn't end up having anyone to root for in the end. The gore was way too graphic. There wasn't enough fantasy.
This won't be my last western *cough* Done & Dusted *cough* but I will say it was not a great start...yeesh.
🐎 Red Dead Redemption & Indiana Jones Vibes
🤠 Adventurous
🚂 Treasure Hunting
☠️ GORE
🐎 Family History
🤠 Past & Present POV
🚂 Anti-Hero
You know I have unhinged thoughts about the audiobook too. *clears throat* The narrator did an awesome job! I thought they casted him perfectly. He fit what I imagined Antonio's voice to be. The southern accents worked. The pacing was a tad slow at 1.25x speed but that didn't necessarily take away from his performance. I was disappointed with how he represented Remedio. It ended up sounding robotic + monotone. I expected more from a character that embodies the grim reaper. But enjoyable audiobook experience!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2024
Thank you so much @BookSparks for my gifted copy and the chance to review it honestly.
The Bullet Swallower was pure magic! When I received this in the mail, I immediately started reading and couldn’t put it down. The dual timelines came together seamlessly and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this book. Looking back I honestly can’t remember if I’ve ever read a western before this, but after reading this one, I can totally get behind them! My favorite part of this story has to be the magical realism elements because we definitely need more of that in our lives. I found The Bullet Swallower to be creative and highly addictive, making Elizabeth Gonzales James a new auto buy author for me. If you’re into magic, family, and a little violence, you should definitely give this one a read. The Bullet Swallower is out now!
Happy reading
The Bullet Swallower was pure magic! When I received this in the mail, I immediately started reading and couldn’t put it down. The dual timelines came together seamlessly and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this book. Looking back I honestly can’t remember if I’ve ever read a western before this, but after reading this one, I can totally get behind them! My favorite part of this story has to be the magical realism elements because we definitely need more of that in our lives. I found The Bullet Swallower to be creative and highly addictive, making Elizabeth Gonzales James a new auto buy author for me. If you’re into magic, family, and a little violence, you should definitely give this one a read. The Bullet Swallower is out now!
Happy reading
February 4, 2024
I expected to enjoy this magical realism western. I loved THE MURMUR OF BEES (Mexican family saga with oodles of magical realism). I enjoyed A SNAKE FALLS TO EARTH (Apache folk tale with mythical time-crossing creatures), and I adored RAZORBLADE TEARS (revenge story with plenty of “eye for an eye” violence).
But I didn’t.
The audiobook narrator was fantastic. There were so many accents, characterizations, and genders that it seemed like a “full cast” production. Even with foreign-sounding names, I had no problem following each character through the story despite multiple timelines.
But the story didn’t pull me in. It was okay, but I wasn’t all that interested or invested. I kept waiting for some big resolution to warm my cold, cold heart, but it didn’t arrive.
Many trusted readers and reviewers have loved this one, so I feel left out. But this was not a good fit for me.
But I didn’t.
The audiobook narrator was fantastic. There were so many accents, characterizations, and genders that it seemed like a “full cast” production. Even with foreign-sounding names, I had no problem following each character through the story despite multiple timelines.
But the story didn’t pull me in. It was okay, but I wasn’t all that interested or invested. I kept waiting for some big resolution to warm my cold, cold heart, but it didn’t arrive.
Many trusted readers and reviewers have loved this one, so I feel left out. But this was not a good fit for me.
September 6, 2024
I loved every second! Nothing I love more than a poignant book with unlovables you can’t help but love. Daring adventures with more stupidity & pride, than courage, as the motivator. Tragedy, redemption, fate, destiny & your own choices fulfilling, or denying, that fate. It’s profound and has moved in as one of my all time favs.
September 21, 2024
Such a good western. Reminds me of COMO LOBOS, another excellent Western.
Full Review:
Thank you to the author Elizabeth Gonzales James, publishers Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE BULLET SWALLOWER. All views are mine.
“Let me tell you,” the Idiot concluded, “the Americans want everything in Mexico except the Mexicans.”
Antonio said a silent prayer and begged one more favor: Don’t let me die in Texas. p50
Great characters, great story, engaging style, great ending. I don't say this very often, but this is a perfect book, if you happen to be looking for a historical western. I read this book last year and it just washed over me. At the time, I didn't get along with the challenging style. I'm glad I waited to read it again, because this reading experience was top notch.
Contemporary westerns aren't quite the same as their predecessors, especially in that they tend to incorporate elements from more popular genres now. THE BULLET SWALLOWER reads like a pure Western, with all the tropes– dazzling descriptions of the sky and setting, witty and dangerous repartee, horses, men with guns, and of course animal cruelty, because the 1800's in the West were hard on every living thing. Reading this book was like watching my first western, when I was a young girl– the magnificence and tangibility of that world draws me right in.
I can't recommend this book enough. When you reach the end, don't skip the Author's Note! In it, Gonzales James writes about her family’s history, how their story and her book correlate, and details from her research. It's very interesting and entertaining info!
I recommend this book to fans of complex characters and morally ambiguous characters, history and historical fiction, memoirs, gunplay, wit, and magical realism.
“The past is not so far away as you might think. Nor the future, for that matter. No man lives free from history[.]” p136
Transcendence wasn't a plot device; it was real. p233
Reading Notes
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. I love that Gonzales James uses humor to deal with really heavy subjects, like racism: Antonio was wanted for cattle and horse theft, smuggling, fence cutting, murder, and a dozen other charges culled from the wanted posters of other bandidos and pinned to him under the legal statute of “they all look alike.” p22 The humor makes these salient points more accessible for readers.
2. He was bitter about not having stolen more, but he enjoyed the chase, the escape. Life without these little frictions was too gray. p44 I think I understand this man, even relate to him, even though we are so different and I also find him inaccessible. It's good character work, to write someone so complex!
3. One of the reasons I adore sibling stories is that there is so much organic tension between siblings, like this: [It] still infuriated Antonio that he could neither make his brother tougher nor make the world kinder. p49
4. I love stories that acknowledge the emotional toll of violence: But as he brought his hand down to reveal the gash, which seemed to open wide and slowly swallow the bottom half of his face like a sinkhole, he knew the wound ran far deeper than the path the bullet had traced.
5. Death had been the process of splitting apart, and so life must be the process of being made whole. p204 This concept repeats, and the effect is amazing.
6. This story is based on the author's grandfather's story. I love that Gonzales James writes very realistic scenes about the creation and sale of this very story, only as a movie. She's taken this family detail and turned it into brilliant metafiction.
7. I love the development of Remedio's character, he's fascinating. I don't want to say more because I'll spoil this wonderful book for you if I do!
8. I strongly recommend the Author's Note at the end of the text, in which the author writes about her family history and her research. It really accentuates the reading experience!
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. This prose is dense. It's going to be a long read. *edit It was a long read, but fantastic also. Still a challenging book.
2. Not a fan of the dual timelines in this one. The "present" storyline isn't as interesting as the "past" storyline. So far, I can't discern how the two timelines relate. *edit This stylistic choice becomes clear at the book's conclusion.
3. Content warning for animal suffering and cruelty to animals.
Rating: 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎 /5 horses with hard lives
Recommend? Yes! You need this book!
Finished: Sep 17 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🏜 The West
🐴 horses
👨👩👧👦 family stories, family drama
🌤 redemption stories
🪞 metafiction
🩶 morally complex characters
Full Review:
Thank you to the author Elizabeth Gonzales James, publishers Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE BULLET SWALLOWER. All views are mine.
“Let me tell you,” the Idiot concluded, “the Americans want everything in Mexico except the Mexicans.”
Antonio said a silent prayer and begged one more favor: Don’t let me die in Texas. p50
Great characters, great story, engaging style, great ending. I don't say this very often, but this is a perfect book, if you happen to be looking for a historical western. I read this book last year and it just washed over me. At the time, I didn't get along with the challenging style. I'm glad I waited to read it again, because this reading experience was top notch.
Contemporary westerns aren't quite the same as their predecessors, especially in that they tend to incorporate elements from more popular genres now. THE BULLET SWALLOWER reads like a pure Western, with all the tropes– dazzling descriptions of the sky and setting, witty and dangerous repartee, horses, men with guns, and of course animal cruelty, because the 1800's in the West were hard on every living thing. Reading this book was like watching my first western, when I was a young girl– the magnificence and tangibility of that world draws me right in.
I can't recommend this book enough. When you reach the end, don't skip the Author's Note! In it, Gonzales James writes about her family’s history, how their story and her book correlate, and details from her research. It's very interesting and entertaining info!
I recommend this book to fans of complex characters and morally ambiguous characters, history and historical fiction, memoirs, gunplay, wit, and magical realism.
“The past is not so far away as you might think. Nor the future, for that matter. No man lives free from history[.]” p136
Transcendence wasn't a plot device; it was real. p233
Reading Notes
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. I love that Gonzales James uses humor to deal with really heavy subjects, like racism: Antonio was wanted for cattle and horse theft, smuggling, fence cutting, murder, and a dozen other charges culled from the wanted posters of other bandidos and pinned to him under the legal statute of “they all look alike.” p22 The humor makes these salient points more accessible for readers.
2. He was bitter about not having stolen more, but he enjoyed the chase, the escape. Life without these little frictions was too gray. p44 I think I understand this man, even relate to him, even though we are so different and I also find him inaccessible. It's good character work, to write someone so complex!
3. One of the reasons I adore sibling stories is that there is so much organic tension between siblings, like this: [It] still infuriated Antonio that he could neither make his brother tougher nor make the world kinder. p49
4. I love stories that acknowledge the emotional toll of violence: But as he brought his hand down to reveal the gash, which seemed to open wide and slowly swallow the bottom half of his face like a sinkhole, he knew the wound ran far deeper than the path the bullet had traced.
5. Death had been the process of splitting apart, and so life must be the process of being made whole. p204 This concept repeats, and the effect is amazing.
6. This story is based on the author's grandfather's story. I love that Gonzales James writes very realistic scenes about the creation and sale of this very story, only as a movie. She's taken this family detail and turned it into brilliant metafiction.
7. I love the development of Remedio's character, he's fascinating. I don't want to say more because I'll spoil this wonderful book for you if I do!
8. I strongly recommend the Author's Note at the end of the text, in which the author writes about her family history and her research. It really accentuates the reading experience!
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. This prose is dense. It's going to be a long read. *edit It was a long read, but fantastic also. Still a challenging book.
2. Not a fan of the dual timelines in this one. The "present" storyline isn't as interesting as the "past" storyline. So far, I can't discern how the two timelines relate. *edit This stylistic choice becomes clear at the book's conclusion.
3. Content warning for animal suffering and cruelty to animals.
Rating: 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎 /5 horses with hard lives
Recommend? Yes! You need this book!
Finished: Sep 17 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🏜 The West
🐴 horses
👨👩👧👦 family stories, family drama
🌤 redemption stories
🪞 metafiction
🩶 morally complex characters
January 27, 2024
didn't quite come together for me but did enjoy the ride!!
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