María Amparo Ruiz de Burton 
The Squatter and the Don 
A Novel Descriptive of Contemporary Occurrences in California

In ’The Squatter and the Don’ by María Amparo Ruiz de Burton, the novel explores the clash between Mexican and American cultures in California during the mid-19th century through the story of two families: the impoverished Mexican ranchero, Felipe Rivera, and the wealthy American ranch owner, Clarence Darrell. The book is written in a realist style, providing a glimpse into the social and political landscape of the time, highlighting issues of race, class, and land ownership. Through its rich characterization and intricate plot, the novel captures the complexities of identity and power dynamics in a changing society. María Amparo Ruiz de Burton, a Mexican-American writer and socialite, drew on her own experiences as a member of the Mexican elite in California to shed light on the injustices faced by the Mexican community. Her background as an insider allowed her to offer a unique perspective on the cultural clashes depicted in the novel. I highly recommend ’The Squatter and the Don’ to readers interested in a compelling narrative that delves into themes of colonization, identity, and social inequality during the American Westward Expansion.