Unsettling, unusual, and crisp stories! Things aren't what they seem, or they are what they seem and what they are is freaky Unsettling, unusual, and crisp stories! Things aren't what they seem, or they are what they seem and what they are is freaky ...more
Longlisted for the International Booker, Simpatía is surprisingly accessible and plot-driven. Set in Caracas Ulises is married to Paulina who is estraLonglisted for the International Booker, Simpatía is surprisingly accessible and plot-driven. Set in Caracas Ulises is married to Paulina who is estranged from her father Martín. However, Ulises and Martín start a friendship even after Paulina leaves the country. When Martín dies, he leaves Ulises the apartment he shared w Paulina, and his beautiful giant estate as long as Ulises promises to transform it into a dog sanctuary. (In the novel and in real life, Venezuela has had major political turmoil with over 7 million fleeing, causing a surplus of abandoned dogs.)
There’s a motley crew of characters who must work together to build the rescue, musings about dogs, the political history of Venezuela, dysfunctional family dynamics, and The Godfather. All in all, an enjoyable read and although there are dark moments, it’s not a slog or overly depressing. ...more
I’ve just finished and am at a loss for words. In just shy of 500 pages Blizter has crafted such a cohesive look at the last 40 years of the US relatiI’ve just finished and am at a loss for words. In just shy of 500 pages Blizter has crafted such a cohesive look at the last 40 years of the US relationship with immigration and Central America (mainly El Salvador with later sections focusing on Guatemala and Honduras.) I learned something on every page, I laughed, I cried, I gasped aloud.
Weaving together the personal narratives of people seeking asylum and those creating asylum legislation, Blitzer attempts to show the intricate and ever-evolving relationship between the United States and Central America. After every chapter (written so accessible for the amount of detail and politics they contain) I would call my Dad or friends to ask if they knew about different policies, facts, or movements.
This is a great read for anyone who is trying to educate themselves on a topic that is at the forefront of our news cycle especially in an election year.
Thank you so much Penguin Press for sending this my way and to the author for documenting this so concisely. ...more
Magical realism stories about brujería, primarily set in Southern California (or post-apocalyptic socal). Very adventurous and unique—some stories havMagical realism stories about brujería, primarily set in Southern California (or post-apocalyptic socal). Very adventurous and unique—some stories have illustrations which is always a great add—some stories follow a brujería teacher, old high school friends who peak into parallel universes to see the different lives (and deaths) of a classmate, a woman who buries her husband, and sisters who recount a famed vampire pop icon.
The final story is a novella about powerful and mystical women named Maria, and while it was imaginative, I think it was slightly more fantastical than I’m used to!
On the whole, it’s a great collection if you’re interested in some witchy stories, but most felt slightly reliant on the novelties of the worlds....more
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