For years, the best that young girls from the backwater village of Alta Gracia could hope for was a position in the Big House, home of the immensely powerful and politically influential Goyena family. So, when Señorita Delia Lugghi—enigmatic teacher and devout Perónist — arrives from Buenos Aires to found a state school in the village, the future of Milagros Riquelme suddenly seems to be full of possibilities. But change rarely does come easily. Inspired by true events, this story charts a life of tragedy, love, and missed opportunity, as Milagros goes from girlhood to old age, all the while being forced to navigate the violent landscape of Argentina in the mid-twentieth century. "Kolovou has written a novel full of grace, humour and loss. In the political is personal, the personal is historic, and the storytelling moves with easeÖa beautiful book."—Elizabeth Reeder "Starting quietly as a coming of age tale in rural Patagonia, over six decades builds towards shocking events in Argentina's Dirty War. It is a mastery of spare—yet sweeping—storytelling. This will remain with you."—Anne Pettigrew Fiction.