The Lame Pigeon

A frail ten-year-old boy sent to spend the summer with his maternal relatives to recover his health. He spends his days confined to bed at first, reading Little Women and observing the bustling household. Felipe forms a close bond with Mari while quietly wrestling with questions about his own sexuality and identity.

The strict nurse who tends to Felipe's great-grandmother, insisting on order and routine. She endures the old woman's endless recollections of the bandoleros who loved her and died for it, anchoring the household in memory and duty. Adoración embodies discipline and care within the family’s chaotic dynamics.

A talkative and meddlesome maid who keeps four lovers on a string and refuses to surrender her virginity. She flirts openly with Felipe, testing boundaries and provoking the adults around her. Mari is curious about sexuality, manipulative at times, and a catalyst for many of the house's discoveries and confrontations.

A cosmopolitan singer who arrives with European flair, scandalizing the conservative matriarch with erotic poetry and liberal views. She fascinates the house with her free-spirited attitude and worldly experiences, drawing Mari's interest and exposing the conflict between tradition and freedom. Victoria also reveals a valuable ring from one of her lovers, adding to the intrigue.

The charismatic communist uncle who steals back possession of his bedroom and captivates Felipe with his worldly gaze. He provides provocative answers about tastes and sexuality, revealing his own complexities and the homoerotic undertones threaded through the family stories. Ramón’s presence unsettles the house's rigid dynamic and invites curiosity.

The eccentric brother of the grandfather who trains pigeons and dreams of treasure at sea. He serves as a whimsical mentor figure for Felipe, offering cryptic guidance and a sense of adventure that contrasts with the domestic routines. Ricardo’s evasive responses about sexuality add to Felipe's questions and the story’s mysteries.

The stern matriarch whose traditional values loom over the household. Her age and memory shape the family’s expectations, providing a constant reminder of social norms. She anchors the home with authority, even as the world beyond the house begins to encroach on its boundaries.

The grandfather figure who embodies the family’s rooted history and authority. His presence reinforces the elder generation’s viewpoint while reacting to the shifting dynamics brought by visitors and younger relatives. He participates in the family’s rituals, helping to maintain the delicate balance of tradition.

A mature spinster who adds another layer to the social tapestry of the house. Her interactions with the guests and relatives reveal the town’s gossip mill and the way small-town networks scrutinize private lives. Reglita’s presence amplifies the communal atmosphere of judgment and curiosity.

Aunt Blanca, contributing to the ensemble with her own perspective on family and relationships. She participates in the house’s lively conversations and plays a role in the unfolding drama surrounding the visitors and Felipe. Blanca helps illustrate the family’s diverse attitudes toward love and propriety.