Fiction. Latino/Latina Studies. In this collection of short stories, Elva Trevino Hart introduces us to the people of San Miguel de Allende. Nestled in the eastern part of Guanajuato in Mexico's mountainous bajio region, the town has a mild climate and an accommodating culture that attract wealthy Americans and Canadians seeking relaxation and escape. In this picturesque setting, we meet a variety of well-to-do Anglo retirees: some are haunted by ghosts, others by their own pasts, some find renewed meaning and purpose, and still others explore their sexuality. Witnessing it all are the maids of San Miguel, the women charged with making visitors' stays carefree and luxurious. The maids work magic to heal or redeem their employers, but sometimes the sorcery of others trumps their own. SIMPATICAS: SAN MIGUEL STORIES movingly describes two extreme socioeconomic conditions and reveals the universal journey we all ultimately share.