Carrie will be a special guest at our December International Book Club, giving us a good perspective on the One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.
I am a recently arrived, part-time resident in Staunton, while I am finishing my final years as a U.S. diplomat working for the Department of State. My daughter is a senior boarding at Stuart Hall.
My love for Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American literature and culture began at a young age. Despite growing up in a very non-diverse town in the middle of Connecticut in the late 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, I fell in love with Spanish when my gringo teacher taught us a little chant in 7th grade to learn how to roll our r's, which I still remember to this day:
erre con erre cigarro, (cigar has two r's)
erre con erre barrillo, (barrel has two r's)
rapido corren los carros (the cars of the train go fast)
del ferrocarril.
I was the first student in my high school to complete Spanish 5 - created by my teacher just for me. I also led our high school's Model United Nations team and then created one at my college, where I interned in NYC for the UN Association. I minored in Spanish and loved Latin American History. I wanted to work at the UN. But then I learned very few non-native foreign language speakers worked there, and I pivoted to my dream of becoming a diplomat.
I moved to DC for graduate school, majoring in International Affairs and minoring in Latin American Studies and meeting my husband in the same program. I passed my Spanish fluency test, still unable to really converse in the language due to lack of much exposure or courage - I had never traveled outside the U.S. at that point, despite my intense interest in doing so.
Then, my now-husband and I passed the Foreign Service test, and we were assigned to Angola, so I spent six months learning Portuguese and pounding all Spanish out of my head. Fast forward a few years and I was assigned to Panama, then took about six weeks of "re"-training to convert my hard-earned Portuguese back into Spanish. Other assignments in Nicaragua and Brazil, as well as in the office in Washington covering Central America, meant I have traveled to more than a dozen Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries in my lifetime, with more to come.
Meanwhile I have read a ton of books and seen many films and plays in Spanish, Portuguese, or English from Latin America. Many of them are inextricably intertwined with our own cultural, historical, and societal experiences here in the United States. Below are some of my favorite books, starting with one of the first I read in Spanish and which we will discuss at the December International Book Club - hope to see you all there! They range from light, entertaining reads that will provide you different perspectives, to historical reviews of the influence of various populations of immigrants on America, to challenging stories about civil wars, violence, and murder. Feel free to read them in Spanish, Portuguese, or English, or listen to them on audio if preparations for the holidays have you too on the move for time to read...
MEXICO
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez is a classic example of magical realism based in the enchanting world of Macondo, a town of history, myth, and unforgettable characters. Written in very accessible English, the novel’s themes include love, solitude, and the cyclical nature of time. Although some readers find its non-linear timeline and innumerable characters overwhelming, the book’s high-quality storytelling and emotional depth will stay with you. It is a classic of Latin American literature and I recommend it as one of the most-read examples of the magical realism genre. The author was born in Colombia but lived most of his life in, and is therefore more often associated with, Mexico.
The Devil's Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea - I have spent about 8 years of my diplomatic career focused on migration issues in Central America. Whenever an American talks about migration or "illegal aliens" or "illegal immigrants," the conversation quickly turns to Mexico and illicit border crossings. This is the quintessential book covering the harrowing journey such migrants take north when they try to cross the Mexican-U.S. border illegally. The author describes a group of men in 2001 trying to cross the southern U.S. border into the brutal desert of southern Arizona. The book was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and has been described as compelling, lyrical, and easy to follow, though difficult (emotionally) to read at points. It helps readers understand the circumstances that drive fellow humans to risk huge danger to try to enter the United States illegally.
CARIBBEAN
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez is historical fiction focused on the Mirabal sisters, who become symbols of resistance against the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. Through the sisters’ courageous journey, Alvarez reveals both personal and political struggles, as well as the impact of tyranny on family and community. The novel’s rich characters embody bravery and sacrifice, making the historical context accessible. While the heavy themes may be difficult, the story’s emphasis on hope and resilience and the characters’ bravery in pursuit of justice ultimately inspire. One could argue the events and characters are particularly relevant for any democracy threatened by autocracy or tyranny today - as many think the United States may be. The author was born in NYC, but largely raised in the Dominican Republic before returning to the United States after about a decade because her father participated in a failed plot to overthrow Dominican dictator Trujillo. Although she was already a U.S. citizen by virtue of her birth here, her experience was more similar to a first-generation immigrant.
Home to Harlem by Claude McKay explores the Harlem Renaissance through the eyes of Jake Brown, who returns to Harlem after serving in World War I. The book portrays the energy and complexity of the Harlem nightlife, reflecting on themes of identity, race, and the search for belonging. Vivid descriptions immerse readers in the cultural milieu of the time, showcasing both the joys and struggles of African American life. While the novel’s structure challenges traditional narrative expectations, its rich characters and social commentary help readers understand the era and its cultural significance, as well as continued themes in American society today. A great glimpse into Afro-Caribbean American culture for those who have less exposure and want more understanding. The author was born in Jamaica in the late 1890s, came to the United States to attend college, and then moved to NYC in 1914, where he became a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance.
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James is a gripping narrative of the political turmoil and violence surrounding Jamaica in the late 1970s. Through multiple perspectives, including those of fictionalized characters and real-life figures like Bob Marley, the novel touches on themes of power, identity, and the impact of history on personal lives. The author’s dense, evocative prose and intricate storytelling create a haunting portrait of life in Jamaica during a time of upheaval. While its nonlinear structure and large cast of characters may require attentive reading, the novel’s depth and raw authenticity have earned it critical acclaim. I personally don’t know much about Jamaican history and would love to learn more about the country beyond the music and resorts, plus it won the Booker Prize! The author was born in Jamaica, attended university there, and then moved to the United States in the 1990s due to poor economic conditions and anti-gay violence in Jamaica.
CENTRAL AMERICA
Nicaragua
The Country Under My Skin by Gioconda Belli is a fascinating political commentary and coming-of-age story, exploring themes of love, identity, and the impact of revolution in Nicaragua. The author is a prominent figure in Nicaraguan history and continues to comment on today’s political, economic, and social challenges - and abuses - in the country. I recommend this book if you want to learn more about one of the source countries for many immigrants to the United States and the conditions they are fleeing in their home countries. The author was born in Nicaragua, is very politically active, and starting in 1990 split her time between Managua and L.A. Current Nicaraguan President Ortega stripped her of her citizenship due to her criticism of his authoritarian government and betrayal of the revolutionary ideals for which she fought alongside him in the 1970s. She now lives in exile in Madrid.
Guatemala
I, Rigoberta Menchú is a memoir that brought global attention to the struggles faced by indigenous peoples in Guatemala. Written as a first-person account by a Mayan woman who continues to be a community advocate, it tells the story of how she overcame extensive obstacles to become one of the key spokespeople for the Mayan communities in Guatemala. Menchú won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 for her work in promoting indigenous rights and her efforts to achieve social justice and reconciliation in Guatemala, particularly in the context of the country’s civil war. I recommend this book as yet another insight into the situations migrants flee in Central America. The author is Mayan, born in Guatemala and still lives there. She is widely renowned and active as a leader in the indigenous rights movement.
El Salvador
The Woman of the River by Claribel Alegría is a novel that explores the struggles and resilience of women in El Salvador, framed within the context of political unrest and personal sacrifice. El Salvador has the highest rate of femicide in all of Latin America, even today, under the rule of an immensely popular president. The author was Nicaraguan-Salvadoran and a major voice in Central American literature. She lived in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and the United States throughout her long life.
Costa Rica
Local Legends of Costa Rica: Exploring Costa Rica Through Folklore by Prateek Agrawal focuses on the most popular country in Central America for American tourists and encompasses how much of the culture of these disparate small countries has been passed down via oral tradition and storytelling. All of the popular tourist destinations in the country - from Arenal volcano to Monteverde rainforest - have generations of legends surrounding them.
BRAZIL
The Complete Stories by Clarice Lispector showcases the author’s unique style and profound exploration of human emotions and consciousness. The book includes nearly 90 stories tracing the author’s whole career from teen to deathbed. I recommend it because each story stands on its own and is a separate glimpse into Brazil, a country as large and varied as the United States, and for which the author is one of the best-loved icons in literature. Additionally, it is an interesting overview, when read all together, of a writer’s progression and transformation across decades of work. The author is a renowned literary figure in her home country of Brazil, and many of her stories were included in my reading practice as I learned Portuguese!
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is one of the only books by Brazilian authors I have read in its entirety in Portuguese. It is a captivating fable about a young shepherd named Santiago who journeys to discover his personal legend and fulfill his dreams. Set in the deserts of North Africa, the novel explores destiny, spirituality, and the pursuit of one’s true purpose. Coelho’s simple yet poetic prose invites readers to reflect on their own paths and the importance of listening to one’s heart. The book’s universal messages about self-discovery and the interconnectedness of life make it a beloved classic for many. This is a quick read and perhaps too simplistic and repetitive at times, but can inspire introspection if you are open to it!
On a Clear April Morning: A Jewish Journey by Marcos Iolovitch is a coming-of-age autobiographical novel set among early 20th-century settlers brought to an almost unknown Jewish farming experiment in an isolated corner of Brazil. The Yiddish-speaking protagonist falls in love, befriends sons of German immigrants, studies philosophy, and becomes an important member of Brazil’s literary world. The first English edition includes historical notes on the origin of Jewish farming communities in the U.S., Canada, and South America by the translator, Merrie Blocker, a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer (like my husband!).
Budapest by Chico Buarque is a novel that explores themes of love, longing, and the search for identity through the eyes of a Brazilian man living in Europe, reflecting on the complexities of culture and language. I recommend this book as a glimpse into the immigrant situation outside of the United States. The author is one of Brazil’s most beloved musicians, and also a writer.
OTHER COUNTRIES IN SOUTH AMERICA
The House of the Spirits: A Novel by Isabel Allende, renowned as one of the world's most talented storytellers in large part due to this first book of hers to be published on the world stage. From Chile, Allende presents in this epic novel the saga of a family's ups and downs across three generations. A violent, politically ambitious patriarch combines with a fragile matriarch who has a connection to the spirit world. Their daughter then produces a granddaughter who is beautiful, yet independent, and leads both her family and her country into a revolutionary future. Love, magic, fate, politics - what more could you want in a novel?
The Cubs and Other Stories by Nobel Prize-winning author from Peru, Mario Vargas Llosa, is his only volume of short fiction available in English. His primary themes in these works from early in his career are male youth and machismo, especially on the soccer field, the dance floor, and street corners. The book includes a foreword by the author with background about the stories and an interesting glimpse into his mind and voice. He is a prolific author; you can't go wrong reading any of his other titles, but I sometimes find reading a collection of someone's stories can give you a broader taste of their themes and styles in shorter periods of time.
The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vasquez, a contemporary Colombian author, brought us this novel about the history of his country. It kicks off with an episode from a zoo owned by the legendary Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, which kicks off extensive reminiscences related to the impact of the drug battles on his friends and family as the government fought to regain control of the country from the cartel. The historical aspects are cast all the way back to the 1960s. It is a super insight into how drugs, crime, and other events shape our lives and perspectives.
The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares is a classic piece of post-war Latin American literature by one of the best-known authors from Argentina. Jorge Luis Borges - a famous fellow Argentine author - called this book a masterpiece of plotting and compared it to The Turn of the Screw and Journey to the Center of the Earth. The story is suspenseful yet romantic, and set on a mysterious island. It is a quick read, at just over 100 pages. As the model for the film Last Year in Marienbad, it also changed the history of film.
MORE ABOUT IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA
Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario is the true story of a young Honduran boy’s perilous journey to the U.S. to reunite with his mother, highlighting the challenges faced by many migrants. Based on the journalist’s Pulitzer Prize-winning articles, while harrowing, this book helps humanize the migrant experience. The author is a journalist who grew up between Kansas and Argentina.
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez is a novel that portrays the lives of Latin American immigrants living in a Delaware apartment complex, capturing their struggles and aspirations. The book won critical acclaim for its weaving of stories of immigrants from across the hemisphere to the United States. The author has won many accolades and graduated from the Iowa Writers Workshop. Her novel about the Panama Canal’s construction - called The Great Divide - also sounds fascinating!
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is an easy read in Spanish or English. It is a coming-of-age novel about the experiences of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl of Mexican heritage navigating her identity and aspirations in Chicago. Through vignettes, Cisneros explores cultural identity, gender, and the quest for self-discovery - all timely topics for modern society and Staunton as a welcoming community. Although some readers may find the storylines underdeveloped due to the vignettes’ brevity, the book’s celebration of hope and resilience makes it an essential read for anyone interested in the complexities of community and belonging, especially for Latinos. The author is from Chicago and is of Mexican heritage, like the book’s main character.
All books from this article can be found in the Community Curated Shelf list at Bookshop.org or in our Libro playlist. Some of them are available in the shop.
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