The Book of Unknown Americans

by

Cristina Henríquez

Half-Guatemalan and half-Mexican, Gustavo left Guatemala for México in order to escape violent military rule. Shunned in México due to his Guatemalan heritage, he eventually moved to the United States in 2000 after the death of his wife. He works as a janitor at two local movie theaters—the jobs are grueling, but he is “grateful” for what they allow him to offer his children, since he’s sending money home and saving for his children’s educations.
Get the entire The Book of Unknown Americans LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Book of Unknown Americans PDF

Gustavo Milhojas Character Timeline in The Book of Unknown Americans

The timeline below shows where the character Gustavo Milhojas appears in The Book of Unknown Americans. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9: Gustavo Milhojas
The Unknown and The American Dream Theme Icon
Longing Theme Icon
Isolation vs. Community Theme Icon
Futility, Chance, and Loss Theme Icon
Gustavo Milhojas was born in Guatemala in 1960—“the year hell came to that country.” Raised by a... (full context)
Chapter 27: Alma
Isolation vs. Community Theme Icon
...other tenants of the apartment building stop by to offer their condolences and small gifts— Gustavo Milhojas brings flowers, and Micho Alvarez brings a picture of Arturo that he took at the... (full context)