The Tattooed Soldier

Tobar portrays his story against the backdrop of the LA riots partly because he is an expert on them, having won an award for covering the riots as they occurred. Do you see legitimate parallels between the LA riots and the turmoil and violence experienced by the characters in Guatemala and El Salvador? Why or why not?

Why do you think that Tobar placed so much focus on homeless characters in the novel, even making his protagonist homeless? How does this affect the novel’s themes? Could he have developed an equally interesting story of a successful immigrant working in LA?

What do you think about the relationship between Longoria and Reginalda? What motivates them in their relationship? Is it sexual desire, or the desire for love and understanding? How does it compare to Antonio and Elena’s relationship?

Why do you think Longoria is so persistent about learning chess yet so inept at the game? The other players cite his defensiveness as a reason for failure, so why does he not change his approach?

Do you think Longoria’s defensive chess strategy mirrors his approach to life? Or is there a contrast between the two? Does the chess playing reveal something we might not otherwise see?

Why does Tobar discuss the lost parts of LA, such as Crown Hill and the subway tunnel? What do they symbolize or suggest about the past continues to live beneath the surface of the present?

As his mother’s letter and Longoria’s presence in the United States demonstrates, the political climate in Guatemala has changed has changed. Why does Antonio not return to Guatemala? Do you think he will eventually return home?

Was Elena right to protest the unsanitary conditions in San Cristóbal, or should she have been more cautious due to her status as an outsider? Should being a mother have made here more careful?