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michaelgreenreads's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
“We wanted work of the imagination. Fiction. Consciousness captured on the page. Storytelling. No essay, no memoir, no reportage. No selfies with a bit of Photoshop to pass it off as fiction.” 👍
This collection was a breath of fresh air! 25 exciting, talented young storytellers from across the Spanish speaking world translated into English by exceptionally good translators! Are they all good stories? Heavens no. But are they all fascinating? YES!
📝 I am keeping at least 14 new writers on my radar now. But here are my five favourite stories:
🛹 (Story 3): Paulina Flores’ Buda Flaite (Chile)
Trans. Megan McDowell
WOW. This story follows gender fluid teen, Buda Flaite, as they strive through Santiago. The writing is incredible: metatextual! self referential! hilarious!
🚀 (Story 5): Mateo Garcia Elizondo’s Capsule (Mexico)
Trans. Robin Myers
WOW! 😳 A futuristic take on solitary confinement in space!
❄️ (Story 9): David Aliaga’s Insomnia of the Statues (Spain)
Trans. Daniel Hahn
An editor from Barcelona roams around a snowy Montreal, thinking about life and French literature. I loved the reflectiveness, even if barely anything happened.
🏚️ (Story 12): Carlos Fonseca’s Ruins in Reverse (Costa Rica/Puerto Rico)
Trans, Megan McDowell
A professor descends into a broken Puerto Rico and finds the notes of a nightmare-fuelled architect. 10/10
🎈 (Story 16): Dainerys Machado Vento’s The Color of Balloons (Cuba)
Trans. Will Vanderhyden
Fiery thirty-somethings are trying to have a baby and have thoughts on gender reveal parties!
🥊 (Story 25): Cristina Morales’ Ode to Cristina Morales (Spain)
Trans, Kevin Gerry Dunn
A fierce love letter to women in mixed martial arts!
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