„La Urna de Cristal“ is the 13th book by Venezuelan author and historian Ricardo Méndez Moreno. This compelling novel transports readers to a time in Venezuela when medicine was not yet a formal university discipline, and doctors were scarce. In their place, curanderos and other local healers played a vital role in treating ailments across rural towns and settlements.

The book’s illustrations pay homage to the era’s rudimentary medical practices, showcasing vintage apothecary instruments and the use of herbal remedies and concoctions. The watercolor-painted cover art beautifully captures the essence of rural Venezuelan life and brings to life the mythical crystal urn central to the story’s legend.