While Franco was holding sway over Spain, some families reproduced his dictatorial model at home. Milagrosa, the author’s first novel, is set in this hushed, untrusting atmosphere, dominated by a mother (the fiery Carmencita) who terrorises her beloved daughter (the bland, shy Milagrosa). Well-honed writing and an excellent eye for setting will keep the reader turning pages all the way to the highly theatrical ending of this perfect parable of the power of Franco’s regime over people and things alike. Milagrosa is Mercedes Deambrosis' first novel.