Through the storied figures of Jesus Malverde, Juan Soldado, Toribio Romo and La Santa Muerte, William Calvo-Quirós tracks popular religiosity as a force in the Mexican migrant experience. The message on vernacular saints is clear : don't leave home without them. A rich and often riveting account that belongs in any conversation on transborder mexicanidad.
William A. Calvo-Quirós is Assistant Professor of American Culture and Latinx Studies at the University of Michigan. His current research investigates the relationship between state violence, imagination, religiosity, and spirituality along the U.S. - Mexico border region during the twentieth century. His work studies the evolution and the politics of surveillance and control around Latino religiosity.