Liborio

Liborio is the main protagonist and narrator of the novel. He is a teenager from Mexico who was brought up by his godmother after his real mother died during childbirth. After surviving an abusive childhood with his godmother, she eventually kicks him out of her house for rebelling against her strictly religious parenting. Out in the world and on his own, Liborio resolves to run away to the United States in hopes of a better life across the border. During his journey he develops highly acute survival instincts that dictate most of what he does.

Liborio is well read, well spoken, and has an affinity for street fighting, having had to frequently fight for his own survival throughout his journey from Mexico to the United States. In spite of the fact that he is so well spoken, he prefers to solve conflicts either through physical violence or by...