Shaken Earth

In his debut novel, Martin Barillas was inspired by his love for his family’s native Guatemala. Set in the turbulent early 1930s, this small country is the scene for an epic tale where seemingly small decisions lead to explosive consequences that will affect everyone’s lives forever. The book opens with the story of a Mariano and Soledad, a young married couple who would prefer to remain in Guatemala, the country they love, but are forced to choose exile and flight instead. They cannot escape the seismic changes underfoot in the world, which witnesses the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany. When an earthquake and volcanic eruptions set them back on their heels, they are crushed by family betrayal. They come to rely on unexpected resources and allies, such as an errant priest and a down-on-her-luck writer, as they attempt to rebuild their lives while immersed in a whirlpool of international intrigue, revolution, and genocide.