Demetria Martínez brings a fresh voice to Chicano literature. Her worldview and experiences center around the social causes and political issues of dispossessed Latinos in general and Central American refugees in the United States in particular. Hers is also a voice of deep spirituality and belief in the power of faith to help overcome social and political strife. In addition to these issues, Martínez explores the world of love and sexuality with genuine insight as well as a refreshing sense of naïveté. Also significant is her view of the Chicano of New Mexico and the search for culture through language, religion, and political commitment.

Demetria Louise Martínez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on 10 July 1960. Her father, Ted, was the first Chicano to be elected to the Albuquerque School Board. Her mother, Dolores, was a kindergarten teacher, and her...