by Lucrecia Guerrero (Author)
In On the Mad River, the paths of three individuals from disparate corners of the United States and diverse ethnic backgrounds unfold against a backdrop of yearning for connection and belonging. Rosa Linda del Rio escaping her past, impulsively hitchhikes with Enon, a violent drifter seeking completion through her. Fleeing from him, Rosa Linda arrives in Mad River, Ohio, navigating a neighborhood called "Hillbilly Heaven" undergoing gentrification. Here, she encounters Donnie Ray Camper, a loner with suppressed emotions, drawn to her free spirit. As their friendship develops, intertwining diverse working-class cultures, the trio's combustible personalities set the stage for a violent and revelatory climax. On the Mad River explores themes of friendship, family, community, and the universal quest for connection amidst a tumultuous journey of self-discovery.