Luis Alberto Urrea's Novel "House of Broken Angels" Patriach's Mexican Social Critique

"House of Broken Angels" is both a social commentary of envy & resentment felt by Mexican's south of the US border towards the ease of the white gringo's on the US side of the border.   Luis Alberto Urrea (b Tijuana 1955 - an American born abroad) is the son of a Mexican father and American mother.  In Urrea's sprawling novel that spans only a few days covers a life-time of resentment, envy, regrets and ephiphanies for its protagonist, Big Angel (BA), the patriarch of his Mexican family.  This arduous and antagonist novel depicts the struggles & familial binds of Big Angel's family living in Tijuana.  The novel starts with the family gathering for the funeral of BA's mother.  The following day is planned for a celebration of Big Angel's 70th (and final) birthday.  Weazened and immobile, BA is aware (as is most of his family) he's at death's door.  The novel reflects Urrea's upbringing allowing for what could be considered subversive or at the very least, politically incorrect stereotypes of Mexicans "...border peasants, feeling sorry for {themselves}."  There is an overriding resentment of BA's 1/2 brother, Little Angel (LA) born to the woman his father left his mother.  LA is raised in a San Diego suburbs with "...the ease that world of fancy pale bastards up north" are entitled. Urrea claims "Each side has something to prove, and none of them knew what it was."  This is a complex and excruciating look at a dysfunctional family and ethnic generaliztions all centered around BA at the precipice of his death.  BA is reckoning with his mortality and legacies.  "All BA ever wanted was to inspire awe." BA's birthday celebration is broken down by interminable minutes and takes  trajectories into the lives of BA and his immediate family. The cultural status and comparisons are most clearly drawn between BA & LA; brothers who love each other but who've had very different upbringings.  BA is an undesirable wet-backs and LA the pampered white gringo.  Even BA admits "he was ashamed of his father, what a beaner."  And he says to LA "Pink nipples are more intoxicating than brown."  There is plenty of self-pity, self-loathing measured against omnipotent love for family and life itself.  "A life was a long struggle to come to terms with..."  A lyrical voice rings through an oppressive saga from BA.  He recently started jotting down what things to be grateful for "...rainy days, when shadows make their mysterious way around corners."  The unflattering & unapologetic look at the pathetic quotidian Tijuana lives resonate with universal awakenings for what's valued most.  Urrea notes when confronting one's mortality this incurs regrets, one's stupidities and the acceptance of continual learning especially when it comes to loving others.