Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper announced Tuesday that John Nichols’ “The Milagro Beanfield War” is this year’s choice for the third “One Book, One Denver” program.
Nichols’ novel follows Leif Enger’s “Peace Like a River” and Sandra Cisneros’ “Caramelo.”
“The Milagro Beanfield War” received little attention when it was first published in 1974. But as time went by, the novel attracted a cult following and was made into a 1988 movie by Robert Redford.
Set in New Mexico, the story follows Joe Mondragon, the town troublemaker, who decides to illegally tap into an irrigation canal so he can cultivate his father’s arid field. This kicks off the “war” of the title – and the comedy and irreverence begins. Joe is soon receiving help from small farmers and sheepmen who inhabit the dirt-poor small town of Milagro.
The war is between the Milagro denizens and the suits in the state capital and the company that owns the rights to the water that Joe has usurped.
Copies of “The Milagro Beanfield War” are available at area bookstores and the Denver Public Library. A guide to a variety of related free events, resource guides and other information are available at denvergov.org/onebook.
Some of the October and November events include the following:
Nichols will read from “The Milagro Beanfield War” at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at West High School, 951 Elati St.
Discussions will be held at various public library locations. For more information, go to denverlibrary.org/onebook.
Several talks will be held at the Tattered Cover bookstores, led by a bookstore staff member and a celebrity guest. For more information, go to tatteredcover.com. Cultural Legacy Booksellers, 3633 W. 32nd. Ave., will hold discussions in English and Spanish. For details, go to culturallegacy.com. Also, Borders bookstores will host a series of discussions featuring prominent community members.
Stories on Stage will present actor Tony Garcia of El Centro Su Teatro reading dramatic excerpts from the book at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Central Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway.
A free screening of the movie version of “The Milagro Beanfield War” will be at 4:15 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, 900 Auraria Parkway.
The Chicano Humanities and Arts Council will present a new paint and mixed-media show titled “Iconography,” with six local artists interpreting milagros, or miracles. The opening reception is from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 10. The show will run through Nov. 25. For more information, call 303-571-0440.
Read Denver Post entertainment writer Michael Booth’s about the movie version of “The Milagro Beanfield War.”
