Lencho

Heather Rodriguez, a college student in San Antonio, Texas, is given an assignment to interview an elderly person. Lorenzo "Lencho" Anzaldua becomes her subject. As he tells his story we become familiar with him through his narrative and also through the eyes of significant people in his life. The setting for this creative non-fiction book is South Texas during the turbulent 20th century (1920 - 2004). The story chronicles the culture clashes and generational conflicts that came along with being Hispanic during that time and in that area of the country. We learn about the difficulties Lencho had to overcome in trying to assimilate into a largly Anglo culture and raise a family during a time fraught with social changes. The book ends with an unsolved mystery surrounding the man. Based on the life of the author's father, Lencho is a Hispanic Everyman...an ordinary, and yet unique and fascinating man of his time.