Celia del Pino

The matriarch in the novel, Celia del Pino lives in a house by the coast in Cuba. She has two daughters — Lourdes and Felicia — and a son, Javier. Throughout the novel, her past is examined in relation to present-day events. Her husband dies at the beginning of the novel, and although he is living in New York City at the time, she immediately knows he's dead because she sees him as she gazes over the water while swinging in her chair on her porch. She helps her daughter Felicia with her mental illness and tries to help Felicia's children, Luz, Milagro and Ivanito to shield them from Felicia's odd behavior. She helps Felicia until Felicia's death at the end of the novel.

Celia is an active member of the revolution of El Lider and works tirelessly to help it achieve its greatness. Her other...