Amadeo Padilla

Amadeo is a 33-year-old man as the novel opens. He is a newly-chosen member of the hermandad (a religious group) and is caught up in the production of a show for those who watch the hermandad's annual procession depicting the crucifixion of Jesus. Amadeo, playing the role of Jesus, asks for real nails to be driven through his hands as his means of showing his devotion to this ritual. Hours later, he is at the hospital, lying about a construction accident and berating the medical staff for not tending his injuries more quickly.

Amadeo still lives at home with his mother, Yolanda, who indulges him to the point that he does not hold a job and barely helps with the chores at home. His teenage daughter, Angel, moves in while Yolanda is away on a short vacation, and Amadeo has no idea what to do with Angel...