Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, & technology book reviews, plus social, political, & economic commentary
The Skull of Pancho Villa and Other Stories Manuel Ramos Arté Público Press – paperback Seemingly mundane moments in life quickly spin out of control in this engaging collection of 22 short stories. And Denver writer Manuel Ramos frequently comes up with surprising endings for his tales. Some of his short stories can be … Continue reading The Skull of Pancho Villa and Other Stories: Chicano noir…and more
Muerte en Una Estrella – Shooting Star Sergio D. Elizondo English Translation by Rosaura Sánchez and Beatriz Pita (Arte Público Press – paperback) Available for the first time in English, this excellent and troubling bilingual novel imagines the dying thoughts of two Mexican youths after they were shot by Austin police in March, … Continue reading Muerte en una estrella – Shooting Star: An excellent, disturbing novel in first English translation – #fiction #bookreview
The Valley / Estampas del valle Rolando Hinojosa (Arte Público Press – paperback) The long-turbulent Texas-Mexico border is in the news once again. So this is a timely moment to introduce or reintroduce readers to the famed Klail City Death Trip Series, fifteen books written by Rolando Hinojosa. The series is in a mythical Texas county on … Continue reading The Valley – Estampas del valle: Now in bilingual paperback for the first time – #bookreview
River of Angels Alejandro Morales (Arte Público Press, paperback ) This third novel by Alejandro Morales is a compelling, evocative portrait of two very different families whose lives become intertwined through their children, in ways both loving and tragic. Set in the 19th and 20th centuries, River of Angels is also the story … Continue reading River of Angels – An excellent tale of two families and their divided city: Los Angeles – #fiction #bookreview
Confessions of a Book Burner Lucha Corpi (Arte Público Press – paperback ) In the Mexican state of Vera Cruz, a school teacher who knew the Corpi family let little four-year-old Lucha come to class with her older brother and spend each day sitting quietly at the back of the room. As Lucha watched and … Continue reading Confessions of a Book Burner – A novelist and poet’s engrossing journey to find her creativity and strength – #bookreview
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