The Tortilla Curtain Summary
T. Coraghessan Boyle

The Tortilla Curtain Overview

The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle is a story about Americans and Mexicans on opposite sides of the financial spectrum living in Topanga Canyon, California, and how their lives are impacted as they are forced to interact. Delaney Mossbacher, a wealthy nature writer, accidentally hits an illegal alien named Candido with his car. He realizes Candido is camping in the park illegally and grows to despise Mexicans because of the damage they have caused in the local area. After Candido causes a fire that threatens the homes in Delaney’s affluent neighborhood, Delaney attempts to murder Candido. However, Candido instead rescues him when he’s caught in a mudslide.