In 'The House of Broken Angels,' we step into the world of the De La Cruz family as they converge in San Diego for a final celebration with their patriarch, Miguel Angel de La Cruz, known as Big Angel. It's his last birthday, and as the gathering turns into both a birthday and a memorial for Big Angel's centenarian mother, the family grapples with complex relationships, shared histories, and the intersection of their Mexican-American identities. Luis Alberto Urrea masterfully captures the poignant moments of a family's joy and sorrow, crafting a narrative that oscillates between the present and the many tales that shape their heritage. It is a story of love's undeniable power over borders and mortality, steeped in cultural vibrancy and familial bonds.