Inspired by its author's interest in his real life subject's disappearance during the Civil War, it was composed after Terra Nostra and The Death of Artemio Cruz.
In one section of this novel, a commander has to hang his friend for stealing coins from a derailed train, while, in another, a woman described as having "a moon face" helps a man trapped in a cellar with two vicious dogs to escape. It begins with a different women reminiscing about her decision to return to Washington, D.C., and that woman had originally fled her previous existence after her beau, Mr. Delaney, was found guilty of fraud and crossed the border. The second chapter depicts the exhumation of a man who'd traveled with a copy of Don Quixote and a Colt .44 to join men like Colonel Frutos Garcia in their struggle. Much of the novel revolves around a love triangle between the teacher, Harriet Winslow, the General, Tomas Arroyo, and the title figure, who consistently reflects on the war stories he has written in the past. Inspired by its author's interest in his real life subject's disappearance during the Civil War, it was composed after Terra Nostra and The Death of Artemio Cruz. For 10 points, identify this novel whose potentially pejorative title refers to Ambrose Bierce, a work by Carlos Fuentes.
In one section of this novel, a commander has to hang his friend for stealing coins from a derailed train, while, in another, a woman described as having "a moon face" helps a man trapped in a cellar with two vicious dogs to escape.
The Old Gringo