Normal Miguel [Paperback]

Erik Orrantia (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2010

Miguel Hernández is a teacher who has left Mexico City to complete a one year student internship in the rural hills of Puebla. He came to the school intending to focus on his teaching and his students but quickly learns that it is impossible to keep his private and professional lives separate-particularly as his experience turns into a voyage of self-discovery. His students, the Directora of the school, the baker, and other people from the town all contribute to his growing awareness. But most important is Ruben, the owner of the candy store who progresses from merchant to friend to lover. He will be the man who has the most effect on Miguel-and who, in turn, is transformed by the impact of Miguel on his own life. This is a lyrical story that brings to life the countryside of rural Mexico, with its grinding poverty but care of the people for their native land; expressing prejudice and hate but at the same time affirming the power of love and acceptance in overcoming obstacles. As a slice of life in the year of Miguel, Normal Miguel will certainly capture the hearts and imaginations of those who join him on his journey in the pages of the book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Cheyenne Publishing (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979777399
• ISBN-13: 978-0979777394
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,660,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Erik Orrantia was born in San Francisco. He studied psychology and counseling at California State University, East Bay. Since 1995, he has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and has written suspense and gay/lesbian themed fiction incorporating his experience south of the border. His debut novel, Normal Miguel, won the Lambda Literary Award in 2010 for the gay romance category. His second novel, The Equinox Convergence, brings to the forefront themes involving the indigenous tribes of Mexico and the on-going drug war. Taxi Rojo bring Tijuana to life in a story of linked destinies. And Day of the Dead--A Romance is the tale of a sweet, cross-border romance, and the agony of its loss. He works as a middle school math and science teacher on the side.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Song June 14, 2010

By Victor J. Banis VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

A delicious broth of a book. Graduating from the Normal school(or teachers' college) Miguel accepts an internship at a boarding school, the Internado, in the distant mountain village of Comalticán. He is plagued with fear that the students will recognize him as gay and reject him, and struggles with doubts about his ability as a teacher; and the students do challenge him at first. He perseveres, however, ever mindful of his obligation to the children placed in his care, and comes to understand that he can learn as much from them as they from him. In time the students come to respect and love him. "We're the only chance these children have," the school's Directora tells him.

"It was the tiniest of moments, really a non-event. Yet the utter sincerity of it began Miguel's journey in a whole new direction. It was the kind of moment that people who've never had them could not even understand. Perhaps only those sorts of people, like teachers or parents, who work with those whose gratitude is almost always implicit, recognize it. A good waiter receives a tip, a good salesman a bonus, a good artist sells work for high prices and hears about the brilliance of her work. What does a teacher get? Poor students have no money to give and, even if they did, they couldn't give it."

When Miguel meets the owner of the local candy store, Ruben, their attraction is immediate, but in contrast to the way these relationships so often develop in glbt fiction, building quickly to a wild crescendo, the blossoming of their love is played more as a sweet adagio.

The cast of characters is large and so indelibly drawn they remain in memory long after the book is finished.

The reader quickly finds himself caught up in the day to day events, as in this description of market day: "brown, round women balanced baskets on their heads and carried turkeys hand-cuffed at the feet like suitcases. The birds contorted their long necks to keep their heads upright as they were walked to market. They looked like tourists quietly taking in the sights as they were transported through the streets."

All of this is played against what might have been a depressing backdrop of poverty, but the author makes clear throughout the difference between the poverty of the spirit, and the wealth that, despite the meanness of their existence, these people share with one another, especially the priceless gift of their affection.

This is a story told, in fact, with great affection, a celebration of the human spirit and of love. Here, for instance, Miguel and Ruben: "finally sleepiness overcame them and they passed from this dream-like state to truly dreaming, never letting go their embrace until orange morning light hit the white walls and the new day was a new song."

Like that new day, this story sings to the heart of those who will listen. A lovely song indeed. Highly recommended!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching yet authentic July 30, 2010

By Louis Fillmore

Format:Paperback

I thought Erik Orrantia's Normal Miguel was a delightful book in every way. Most reviewers would probably focus on the love story between the two young men, which develops very naturally and certainly kept me interested, but I thought the highlight of the book is the local color. This author has a remarkable eye for the authentic details of small town life in Mexico that give it, and the book, tremendous charm.

He also has a particular sensitivity for children that is neither sentimental nor cliched. He brings out the simple good heartedness the young are capable of so deftly that the climactic scene, in which the children's innocence and generosity of spirit could so easily have seemed forced or artificial, worked beautifully and movingly.

Many self-assured writers work in styles that are familiar to the reading public; Erik Orrantia's confident voice is particularly impressive to me because there is so much about this book -- its subject matter, its characters, its narrative style and the central story itself -- that is fresh and original. This is a writer to be enjoyed now and to be watched in the future.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Normal Miguel by Erik Orrantia - 4.5 Stars November 18, 2010

By Indie Reviews

Format:Paperback

"Normal Miguel" by Erik Orrantia is a beautiful story of a young man's journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. It is an extremely well written novel that transported me to the rural hills of Puebla and the impoverished rural Mexican village of Comaltican and into the lives of not only Miguel and Ruben, but also the many colourful secondary characters that make up this community.

The prose is simply gorgeous ~ I cannot stress this enough ~ and the author's rich descriptions evoke a kaleidoscope of images of the people, community life, and the land.

"In the dark of the evening, while the water from the heavens saturated the hills and the soil and the roots of every tree, the mountainside exploded. The gigantic rock which was the hillside above the cave opening came down in one piece, shattering against the earth into boulders bigger than burros that rolled down to places where they wedged between mighty trees and larger stones left there from the mountain's previous madness. Water spewed out as if escaping from a cage. The groaning died down as if the mountain was finally relieved, but the water continued to gush steadily with less pressure but greater quantity."

The story is told mainly from the perspective of Miguel and his narrative voice is one that is gentle and thoughtful. There is fluidity to the writing that allows Miguel to seamlessly take the reader from present to past and back again throughout the novel without interrupting the overall rhythm of the story. The author deftly captures Miguel's nervousness as to whether he will be a good teacher and be accepted by his students and the community, as well as his fear at their reactions should they discover that he is gay. Throughout his year at the Internado (boarding school), Miguel both teaches and learns. His relationship with Ruben, and his experiences with his students and the people of the community prove invaluable life lessons that all contribute to his growth and maturity, and ultimately to his self-acceptance.

The secondary characters in this novel simply jump off the page. The author's treatment and presentation of them is quite unique in that he provides a brief back story for several of the recurring secondary characters that gives the reader insight into each character's actions and motivation. While some readers may find this distracting from the main story, I felt that this only added to the overall richness of the story and its ensemble cast.

"Normal Miguel" was an absolutely wonderful reading experience for me and I highly recommend this novel to readers. I very much look forward to reading more of Mr. Orrantia's work in the future.