The Bullet Swallower is part magical realism western, part family saga that examines if we are responsible for the sins of our ancestors. This immersive story follows two Mexican men through the generations; in the 1800s we ride along with Antonio on an epic quest for revenge amidst the brutality of the Mexico-Texas border and in the 1960s we witness Antonio’s grandson Jaime grapple with his family’s malevolent history. To make matters more interesting, a mysterious “shadow” figure follows them to collect their family’s cosmic debt. Despite their flaws, I was so invested in these characters and was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would become of them. The dual timelines brought everything together seamlessly. This sweeping tale is incredibly well-written, engaging, and I really enjoyed the historical details. Highly recommend!