Mañanaland

“This was his favorite spot to make up stories and wonder about big and bewildering things: How long it would take to grow up and become a man, if he would ever see what lay beyond the horizon, and why his mother left and whether he’d ever meet her.”

Max has a strong imagination and likes to contemplate the big things in life. This is especially so as Max is growing into adolescence with major changes and worries pressing on his mind. Max will reconcile these conflicts as he undergoes his spiritual journey as a guardian.

“‘What did she say’ Max whispered. ‘That you’re a poor motherless child and it’s not polite to talk about her.’ ‘How come?’ asked Max. Other kids had parents who didn’t live with them. The boy shrugged. ‘She said it might make you feel sad and unworthy. Want to play tag?’ As they began chasing each other, Max thought about what the boy had said. It wasn’t sadness he felt. It was a peculiar nothingness tucked behind a veil of secrecy that no one was willing to lift. Not Papá. Not Buelo. Not his neighbors or teachers. What did they know that he didn’t? He ran after the boy and the words echoed…poor…motherless…unworthy…”

In Chapter 3, Max has a flashback to when he was younger and first felt the weight of his mother’s absence. When a boy at school gets in trouble for asking about Max’s mother, Max begins to question why no one will talk to him about her. The mystery around his mother sets Max apart from his peers. Max experiences self-doubt and frustration from this “veil of secrecy” as he grows up. Max worries there is something wrong with him and hopes that if he can learn the answers about why his mother left, he can better understand himself and his place in the world. This fuels Max’s conflict with his family at the beginning of the novel, as well as propels Max on his physical and spiritual journey.

“Solo mañana sabe. Only the place we know as tomorrow holds the answers.”

Max’s family has many poetic sayings they use to pass wisdom on. Buelo uses this saying to ease Max’s frustration over the mysteries surrounding his mother’s disappearance. This saying echoes key ideas in the novel about looking towards tomorrow as a symbol of hope about the future and accepting that life remains a mystery in the present.

“‘You held tomorrow?’ whispered Max. ‘What did it feel like?’ ‘I suppose it might be different for everyone. For me, one moment it was warm and syrupy, like a cinnamon pastel just from the oven. And the next, cool and smooth, like a rock pulled from the riverbed. Mostly, though, tomorrow was very slippery. As soon as I thought I’d captured it, swoosh, it slid through my fingers and was gone.’”

Max and Buelo often spend evenings telling stories. A favorite story of Buelo’s is “The Secret Bridge and the Guardabarrera.” In the story, a mystical woman named Yadra takes the true of heart on a journey where they can hold tomorrow in their hands. Buelo claims he has been on this journey and held tomorrow. This descriptive passage captures the elusive essence of the future through symbolism and imagery. It also foreshadows the moment Max holds tomorrow, which transforms his perspective on his path in life.

“‘Buelo, why is Papá so serious? He always thinks the worst is going to happen.’ ‘Your Papá was once quite lighthearted,’ said Buelo. ‘But now he wears his worries and fears like a cloak. The grown-up world robbed him of a bit of his spirit, and he lost his belief in happy endings.’ ‘You mean…when my mother left?’ Buelo nodded. ‘She stole a bit of his spirit?’ asked Max. ‘You could say that.’”

While Max is a dreamer, Papá is a worrier. Papá prefers reality to happy endings because there is less disappointment. This conversation between Max and Buelo emphasizes Max and Papá’s differences in age and maturity. While Max still has a hopeful outlook, Papá has faced hardships as a grown-up that have dampened his spirit.

“Tears stung Max’s eyes. ‘You were wrong! His parents said yes to the clinic. They said it was a great opportunity! Gui’s parents said yes, too. And Chuy and Gui get to have dinner with the new coach tonight. You never let me do anything. Or go anywhere on my own!’ ‘Max, when you’re older—’’What does that mean? When will I ever be old enough?’”

Tension begins to build between Max, Papá, and Max’s friends when Papá refuses to let Max attend the fútbol clinic in Santa Inés. Although Papá has his reasons for being so protective of Max, the decision isolates Max from his friends. This passage highlights Max’s desire for more freedom and responsibility as he grows ups, as well as concerns about fitting in socially as Max and his friends begin to find their identities as adults.

“‘Ortiz said the hidden ones were murderers and thieves, and the guardians were criminals too, because they broke the law by protecting them. Is that true?’ Papá bristled. ‘The guardians helped for compassionate reasons. And the hidden ones were not murderers or thieves. They were soldiers who fought on the wrong side of a dictator, and innocent women and children.’ ‘How do you know?’ Papá searched his eyes. ‘Because Buelo, Tío, Amelia, and Mariana…were the original Guardians of the Hidden Ones.’ [...] ‘Papá, they’re heroes! I can’t wait to tell Chuy! Everyone should know what they—’ ‘Max! No one must ever find out. You may talk only to Buelo about this, and in private [...] Even now, it would be dangerous to expose us.’”

When Papá takes Max on his first trip to the ruins, he reveals to Max an important family secret: Max’s family are guardians. Prior to this moment Papá had always considered Max too young to visit the ruins, or to be trusted with this family secret. This development is an important step in Max’s coming of age. This passage also highlights tension about how society views guardians and hidden ones. While guardians act out of goodness and compassion, the judgement from people like Ortiz’s family means Max’s family must keep their heroic actions a secret.

“‘Arrorró, mi niño. “Hush, my son,’ he whispered. That’s how the song began. Was La Reina singing? Or a ghost? A wail, like a baby’s cry, sent a cold shiver down his back. Heart pounding, Max fled the room and ran into the clearing, the compass thumping against his chest. Papá stopped sorting stones. ‘You okay?’ ‘I heard strange noises…’ ‘It’s just the wind working its way through the chinks. Makes La Reina Gigante moan and sing. And every time a cloud shifts, it looks as though someone is standing in the shadows.’ Papá shook his head. ‘It’s no wonder all the rumors of ghosts.’”

Max has grown up hearing ghost stories about La Reina Gigante and the ruins. This makes his visit to the ruins exciting: while his friends are having fun experiences at the fútbol clinic, Max will be able to share exciting stories about his ghostly experience and bravery at the tower. The lullaby Max hears is significant and reappears throughout the novel. The lullaby symbolizes the haunted presence Max’s mother represents in Max’s life.

“Well, it was worth finding the courage…to give people hope. To show them that the world is not all ugliness but holds beauty and goodness. Being a guardian is not about borders or laws or money. We never took money. It’s about people helping people.”

This passage highlights important values discussed in the novel. Guardians represent the importance of helping others through hard times and finding resilience through community. Guardians recognize our shared humanity and responsibility to others, even if it does not benefit ourselves. Although some people in Santa Maria believe hidden ones are criminals for fleeing their countries against the law, the compassion of Guardians extends to all. This passage also highlights the importance of “beauty and goodness” for delivering hope to people in difficult circumstances. The magical stories woven throughout the novel echo this theme, imbuing Max’s world with beauty and optimism.

“Max shook his head in disbelief. ‘No. You’re like a little stray dog following at Ortiz’s heels because he invited you to the fútbol clinic, and you got new shoes, and he buys you leche quemada, and brings you to dinner at the big house.’ Chuy’s face fell [...] A dark qualm slithered from a hole in his mind. It leered and taunted him. Then the ugly doubt slipped back into its hiding place.”

This key conflict between Max and his friends builds up to Max’s spiritual journey as he comes of age. His friends grow closer with each other but further apart from Max when they attend the fútbol clinic. Here, Max lashes out at his best friend Chuy for not sticking up for Max. This fight highlights Max’s insecurities about his place in society. Max worries that his friends will reject him if they find out Max’s mother was a hidden one. This is amplified since Ortiz’s parents believe the hidden ones were criminals, and Max feels like Ortiz has greater influence over their peers since Ortiz comes from a wealthy family. This causes Max’s struggles with feeling unworthy—caused by his mother leaving with no explanation—to resurface.

“Max’s heart skipped as the pieces dropped into place. He did know the way. He’d known it his entire life. Buelo had made sure of it [...] ‘Do you know what this means, Lola? It’s more than a legend! It is a true story, just like Buelo always said. It all makes sense now. The secret bridge is the next safe place. “A pilgrim, true of heart” is a password. And the next guardabarrera is a guardian. Just like Papá, Father Romero, Buelo, Tío, my aunties, and now…’ Max gulped at the enormity of the task before him. ‘…me.’”

When Father Romero explains to Max the path a guardian must take when escorting hidden ones, Max realizes that Buelo’s magical story about Yadra is true. This moment when Buelo’s story comes to life creates excitement, adventure, anticipation—and a bit of magic—as Max prepares to embark on his first journey as a guardian and carry on his family’s legacy.

“Above them, the peregrine swam wide loops against a watery sky. ‘Pilgrim bird. Traveler from a promised land,’ whispered Max. ‘Are you my mother’s spirit? Or someone like her? Will you bring me good fortune and magic?’ He hoped she would at least bring him safe passage.”

Peregrine falcons are said to bring good luck to those who spot them and to carry spirits of hidden ones back to Santa Maria every year. Max sees this peregrine falcon the morning he begins on his journey as a guardian, as if it’s granting him luck for the journey. Here, the peregrine falcon, or pilgrim bird, represents the significant spiritual journey Max is embarking on, where he will learn to accept the unanswered questions he has about his mother. The hushed atmosphere created by Max’s whispered words, and the vivid imagery of the falcon’s flight add a further sense of anticipation and magic.

“‘I need to talk to someone named Isadora. Do you know where she is?’ The girl swept a wisp of hair from her eyes, took a wobbly breath, and pointed to herself. He frowned. She was Isadora? She was the one he was to escort? But she was so young! How could he care for such a small child? Could she even make the journey on her spindly legs? ‘You’re alone?’ She hugged the kitten and looked as if she might burst into tears again.”

Isadora’s age is a challenge Max must overcome in the novel. At first, Max worries her young age will make the journey too difficult to manage. Max overcomes his trepidations and finds innovative ways to support Isadora. This teaches Max a lesson about responsibility and caring for others, while showing his spiritual development as he comes of age. He also begins to appreciate Isadora’s bravery. This helps Max gain perspective on his own struggles while inspiring Max to be braver as well. Isadora’s youth and timid nature is juxtaposed throughout the novel with the hardships she has endured. This juxtaposition highlights Isadora’s resiliency as she consistently pushes through her fears on her dangerous journey.

“Then the mural burst into a lush, sunny landscape: blue skies and green hills, bougainvillea, bushes laden with berries, trees ripe with fruit, waterfalls spilling into large pools, and arcs of rainbows. Painted above it was the word Mañanaland. Isadora stopped in front of the paradise, and for the first time, Max saw a timid smile.”

Inside the tower there is a mural depicting the story of the hidden ones: scenes of war and violence in Abismo, people fleeing through Santa Maria, and finally arriving in the paradise Mañanaland. Max believes Mañanaland is a real place, although he will find out in Chapter 26 that it’s just a metaphor. The depiction of Mañanaland as a physical place in the mural, and the imagery used to describe it here, makes the metaphor more poignant for readers.

“‘Are you running away?’ she asked. ‘Do you live with someone awful who scares you?’ ‘No! Papá is kind. And so is Buelo. They love me very much. So does Tío. And my aunties. They all love me.’ Isadora looked at him with her big, earnest eyes. ‘You’re lucky.’ Max felt a pang in his chest, for everything he had that Isadora didn’t. Suddenly, his problems felt small.”

As Max escorts Isadora to the next guardian, she begins to share her story with him about her life in Abismo. This helps Max reconcile his own problems. While Max may have his struggles with his family, he is in a safe and loving environment. This passage makes this point by juxtaposing Isadora’s expectations for life with Max’s more fortunate circumstances. Emphasis on Isadora’s innocence and youth—with her “big, earnest eyes”—highlights the injustice of her hardships. Their conversation also highlights how life’s struggles can feel lighter and our problems smaller when we share our worries with friends.

“He should never have pretended he was Papá’s substitute. Father Romero had warned that their lives would be in danger. And yet, he had foolishly undertaken the journey anyway, for his own selfish reasons. How could he ever have thought himself capable of being responsible for someone else’s life? How could he possibly hand her over? [...] Max looked at either end of the deck. He couldn’t see a way out. A guardian had to be ready to improvise at a moment’s notice. ‘No matter what,’ he whispered. He grabbed her hand. ‘I have an idea. But you must be the bravest you’ve ever been.’”

This moment builds anticipation as Max struggles to overcome the biggest challenge on his journey with Isadora. Here, men who want to send Isadora back to Abismo for a reward catch up with Max and Isadora and block their escape. Stuck with no way out, Max starts to give up hope. He struggles with this physical obstacle as well as internally with feelings of self-doubt. Max perseveres and overcomes his internal struggle, allowing him to create an unexpected plan for their safe escape—by jumping into the river and swimming away. This break-through success highlights Max’s growth as he comes of age.

“‘I was once a hidden one, like you. No one can hurt me now, but the fear of being discovered runs very deep.’ ‘You ran away from Abismo, too?’ asked Isadora. Yadra shook her head. ‘I didn’t run away from another country. Cruelty doesn’t only happen across borders. Unfortunately, it happens everywhere, even in our own backyards.’”

Max’s time with Yadra is the final step on his journey before returning home. The wisdom Yadra shares with Max helps complete his spiritual journey. Here, Yadra offers an alternative perspective on hidden ones and the cruel circumstances people face in life. Unlike the other hidden ones, Yadra did not flee Abismo. While the violence in Abismo seems distant, Yadra reminds that injustice exists everywhere. This is a valuable lesson for Max, as well as readers. It’s easy to criticize violence and injustice in far-off countries while forgetting these cruelties exist in our own communities. There are people struggling “in our own backyards” in need of guardians.

“‘Is Mañanaland a big country or a small one? When we arrive, is there someone I can ask about my mother?’ Yadra stopped rowing. ‘Maximiliano. I don’t think you understand. Mañanaland is not a destination. It’s a…way of thinking […] After you’ve experienced a terrifying and anguished existence, anywhere better…is Mañanaland.’ Max felt his face flush. All this time he had foolishly hoped to find a place where none existed? […] Without any more clues, how could he ever find his mother? Or know what his own future held? Maybe Papá was right not to believe in happy endings.”

Max’s search for Mañanaland, where he hopes to find answers about his mother, has been a driving motivation throughout his journey. Max is crushed to realize he has placed his hope on something that does not exist, as well as embarrassed at his naivety. However, this hard truth helps Max realize that some things, like the future, are out of his control—just like Mañanaland and its promise of answers is out of Max’s reach. This ultimately highlights Max’s resilience. Max is disappointed he didn’t find what he set out to discover and starts to doubt happy endings, However, Max’s optimism will persevere as he comes to accept life’s surprises and uncertainties.

“Max took her hand. ‘This is the best for Churro. It doesn’t mean you don’t love him.’ Gently, he took the kitten and handed him to Yadra. ‘It means you do love him and want him safe with people who will care for him and protect him always.’ As he said the words, he wondered if that was what his mother had done for him. Had she saved him from a dangerous and unpredictable life? [...] Max hugged her and then leaned back. ‘Papá and Buelo always say, “favor con favor se paga.” It means if you do something nice for someone, like give them your most precious kitten, then they should give you something in return.’ He slipped the compass from around his neck and put it on Isadora. ‘So you’ll always know the way.’”

When Isadora is reunited with her sister Rosalina, she learns that she won’t be able to take her beloved kitten, Churro, with her on the next part of the journey. Max seeks to comfort Isadora by offering to care for Churro. This moment serves as an allegory for why Max’s mother left their family. While Max will never know all the answers about his mother’s disappearance, Max realizes the circumstances were complicated. He comes to accept his mother’s leaving was not about Max being unworthy or unwanted. He releases the burden he has been carrying both physically and metaphorically by giving Isadora his mother’s compass. This symbolizes that Max’s search for his mother and his need to know all the answers has reached an end.

“His lids dropped. A smothering exhaustion wrapped around him. The rhythmic click of the oarlocks and the slurp of the water sent him into a dense web at the edge of sleep. Yadra’s voice followed him. ‘Drag your hand in the river. Scoop up the water but keep your fingers pressed tight like a cup. Tomorrow is there.’ From the caverns of his mind, Max saw himself slowly sit up, ladle the water, and stare into the tiny lake in his palm. It didn’t feel warm and syrupy like Buelo had said. The water formed a large, solid bubble, wet and slippery, like the yolk of a fresh egg. It glowed, brightening the world around him until Max was surrounded by spaciousness. There was no horizon—no above and below. He floated in an illuminated cloud [...] In his mind’s eye, the rowboat was somewhere on the meandering river made by the serpent with the indecisive spirit. The current took him one way and then the other. He tried to reconcile the mystery of his mother, but no matter which way he turned, there were no answers or satisfaction. [...] The uncertainty didn’t feel as heavy as it once had. It felt oddly weightless and bright. The unknown was a sliver of light streaming through a crack and beyond…to all the possibilities he could not yet see.”

This hypnotic passage uses imagery to create a magical sequence at the border of reality and dreaming. Here, Max is coaxed towards sleep by a lullaby of the “rhythmic click of oarlocks and the slurp of the water”. These evocative descriptions transport readers to a space of magical possibilities. When Max holds tomorrow, the journey is experienced both tangibly, by holding the water, and through his imagination as he explores the “caverns of his mind”. This creates ambiguity around the moment, leaving it unclear if the moment was magic or metaphor. This highlights the power of the imagination to shape reality by adding beauty and perspective. This moment is the climax of the story—Max’s reward for making the journey as guardian and proving he’s true of heart. This is a crucial moment for Max’s path in life as he finds peace with not knowing exactly what his future holds.

“‘I only meant to protect you. I didn’t want your life to be filled with sad illusions and false hope, or dreams that would never come true.’ ‘I like illusions, and hope and dreams, whether they come true or not.’ Max stood taller. ‘I know you probably don’t believe me, but I went on a journey with Yadra. I held tomorrow in the palm of my hand.’ He braced himself for Papá’s doubt. But Papá just pulled Max close and rested his cheek against Max’s forehead. ‘I never told you,’ he whispered. ‘I once held tomorrow in my hands, too.’ Max couldn’t believe it. ‘Papá! When?’ ‘The day you were born.’”

Max and Papá come to better understand their different outlooks on life. Although Max has gained greater wisdom and maturity, he has not lost his optimism and penchant for dreaming. Max’s stance on fantasies and dreams highlights the value of stories and magic—they add beauty and joy, regardless of their reality. Additionally, while Max has grown over the course of his journey, Papá has grown as well. Papá has been on his own parallel journey to obtain a birth certificate for Max, and when he returns, he is able to release some of his worry and accept Max is growing up.

“Max knew who he was, too—someone who was true of heart and proud of the legacy into which he’d been born. He came from a long line of stonemasons who built bridges that never collapsed and allowed one side of the river to hold hands with the other. Fútbol was in his blood—the talent hadn’t skipped him—and with hard work and practice, he had made the village team. He was a Guardian of the Hidden Ones[...] Just as he did at the end of every game, he scanned the stadium of people. He knew that neither one of them was likely there, but just in case the impossible became possible, he waved his arm in a wide arc, back and forth. Chuy flung himself at Max. ‘Hermano, we did it! We’re champions!’ His teammates surrounded him. In a giant huddle, the team began to chant, ‘CÓR-doe-bah! CÓR-doe-bah! CÓR-doe-bah!’ Max felt like he could fly.”

This passage highlights how Max has transformed by the end of the novel. While Max began the novel feeling insecure about his place in society and unclear about his future, Max now has a better understanding of his place in the world. Max has made the fútbol team and resolved his conflict with his friends—Chuy calls Max “Hermano”, or brother, showing that their friendship is repaired. Max is successful and accepted by society. More importantly, Max is proud of who his family is and happy with his life.

“‘Maximiliano, it is your turn to tell,’ said Buelo. ‘I told last week.’ Max held up a finger. ‘Remind me, how do I begin?’ Buelo beamed. ‘Once upon a time…’ Max cleared his throat. ‘Once upon a time there was a princess from a faraway land who did not want to marry the man her parents chose for her. They did not see her or notice she had a mind of her own. Besides, the man…’ ‘...was mean and smelly,’ said Buelo. ‘And liked to eat toads for dinner,’ said Papá. ‘Exactly,’ said Max [...] Outside, the wind whistled, but inside the room was quiet. Max’s words settled around them like downy feathers drifting to the floor. Papá whispered, ‘Bravo.’ Buelo wiped tears from his eyes. ‘One of your best.’”

When Max tells stories with his family, there is a rhythm of community and sharing as they each take turns and participate in the telling. This shows their strong and loving bond: they listen and support one another while entertaining each other with beautiful ideas crafted from their imagination. This final story Max tells at the end of the novel shows Papá joining in for the first time in the book. By the novel’s conclusion, Papá has shed some of his worry and somber outlook. This is highlighted by Papá joining in to tell a magical story when he usually prefers reality. Here, Max invents a fairytale inspired by the various people he met on his journey as a guardian, as well as his mother’s story. Max’s fairytale turns the sadness he and his family feel at her absence into something poignant, beautiful, and full of hope.