Iguana Dreams: New Latino Fiction [Paperback]

Delia Poey (Editor), Virgil Suarez (Editor), Oscar Hijuelos (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 1992

With an introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Oscar Hijuelos, this important anthology of contemporary fiction represents the wide range of cultures and experiences that mark the diverse ethnic groups of the Latino community.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The remarkable diversity of Latino culture and literature is showcased in this excellent new anthology by Poey, a doctoral student at Louisiana State University, and Suarez ( The Cutter ). Represented in the 29 pieces offered here are Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, Chilean, Chicano and Chicana writers. All of them live in the United States (many were born here). Because of this, many of the stories struggle with the issue of assimilation, and Spanish words rest comfortably in pieces crafted otherwise in English. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith's story of a retreat by UN forces in Korea leading to high civilian casualties becomes a biting and ironic study of cowardice and self-preservation. Ruldolfo Anaya, in only a few brief pages, manages to give readers both a well-formed character and an eloquent meditation on familial ties and death. Elena Castedo, in her simple story of a Hispanic maid, indicts the casual cruelty of racism and the fragmentary bond of employee to employer. Ricardo Pau-Llosa tells the story of an exile's return to a post-Castro Cuba and proves once again that one can never go home. Incredibly rich, this body of literature deserves to be better known in the dominant culture.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In Iguana Dreams , editors Poey and Suarez have gathered an impressive array of original short stories in English by contemporary Latino fiction writers, from the more established and feted Dominican American Julia Alvarez, Chicana Sandra Cisneros, Texas Mexican Rolando Hinojosa, and Cuban American Elias Miguel Munoz to newcomers Puerto Rican Abraham Rodriguez Jr. and Cuban American Cecilia Rodriguez-Milanes. Some of their stories focus on the interaction between Latinos and Anglos, others explore Latino culture, and still others what Alvarez has described as "exploring your hyphen" (her expression for the process of writing from the perspective of two cultures). Some of the stories are as brief as one page, others as long as 32; they average about ten. The Latino fiction writer is emerging as a force in American letters, and this volume provides an excellent introduction to contemporary styles and themes. Highly recommended.
- Harold Augenbraum, Mercan tile Lib., New York
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial; 2nd edition (October 13, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060969172
• ISBN-13: 978-0060969172
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,520,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Neopolitan of new latino fiction, June 1, 2006

By 

Himri "Himri" (Tempe, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Iguana Dreams: New Latino Fiction (Paperback)

I call this Neopolitan cause like the icecream has slices of fiction by not 3 but 29 writers.
This collection of different stories introduces us to different cultures through new words in italics like santeria.
'Nellie' by Roberto G fernandez has many bouts of good imagination. With his description of something as trivial as an open suitcase, he has driven home a point 'why write?'.
'Tito's Good Bye' by Cristina Garcia is well written.
A story on a granny visiting a school girl in a city brings about differences one finds in such a situation.
Each chapter has a brief description about the author and his/her works. With this half your research of 'which other work of the author to read' and 'whats the next book' is already done for you.

4.0 out of 5 stars Latin Short Stories, December 4, 2005

By 

lean_bot (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Iguana Dreams: New Latino Fiction (Paperback)

I enjoyed the stories written by the writers. These stories will move you through several types of emotions, while others will cause you to think. Not only do the writers have various background as far as which country/environment they have come from but I was intrigued by the wealth of the material given that some of the writers share their lives with writing as well as other occupations. It is encouraging to know that you do not have to devote your entire life to writing in order to be a writer of great stories.

5.0 out of 5 stars Latino in America, April 15, 2005

By 

Laura Torrespico (Chicago, U.S.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Iguana Dreams: New Latino Fiction (Paperback)

This is an excellent anthology of short stories written by Latino authors from many different countries. Not only are the short stories themselves entertaining, but they give insight into what it is like for each particular Latino culture to assimilate in America. What it is like to be a Cuban is not the same for a Mexican in America, and a Puerto Rican and so on. Even though some of the Latino cultures appear similar, there are major differences that are not obvious to mainstream America. In this book of short stories, you will find consistent topics that can be shared by everyone Latino or not. Anyone who is interested in the differences between Latino cultures in America should read this book because they are not all the same. Besides, the stories are great.