Prologue-Chapter 1

The Tree of Red Stars begins with a prologue, written almost as a letter to the reader. The protagonist, Magda, is returning to Uruguay after a seven-year exile in Europe. She talks about Marco Aurelio Pereira, who has spent seven years in jail after rescuing her from a similar fate. Statements about the political unrest in Uruguay before Magda left are related, as well as Magda's efforts to secure the release of Marco.

Chapter 1 begins with details about Magda's childhood in Montevideo. The neighborhood is described, with a special emphasis on the poinsettia tree outside of Magda's home, where she and Emilia hide to watch their neighbors. As they sit in the tree, Gabriela, a young woman from the outskirts of town appears, and Magda convince Emilia to hide in the back of Gabriela's wagon to see where she lives. Once at Gabriela's house, which is made...