The Five Wounds Summary
Kirstin Valdez Quade

The Five Wounds Overview

Kirstin Valdez Quade's novel, The Five Wounds, is the story of Amadeo Padilla who plays Jesus in an annual ritual. Amadeo takes the role to the extreme of having real nails driven into his hands. He has fallen into the trap of thinking that one huge act will make up for all his past failures and set him on the road to a successful life. Over the following year, Amadeo cares for his mother as she dies of cancer. He becomes involved in the life of his teenage daughter and newborn grandson. Through these life-changing experiences, Amadeo learns that showing genuine love is the most important thing in life. The main themes are the desire to be cared for, the role of prayer and religion, and the need to belong.