Salsa and Chips [Paperback]

Daniel Reveles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 1997

In Salsa and Chips, Daniel Reveles welcomes us to Tecate, the enchanting dusty border town where no one is in a hurry and Time's winged chariot has broken down on Avenida Juarez. Wander through the plaza. Listen to the sweet madrigals of the taco man, the flower girl, and the fortune-telling canary. See the human flame-thrower and watch the bug-eater pop a spider in his mouth for a quarter.

In these luminous novelas, Daniel Reveles serves up the  vast banquet of life. Peppered with magical realism and cultural nuance, triumph and despair, passion and spice, each story is a delectable meal for the heart and soul.

Meet El Flako, a hopeless bungler and his exasperated compadres; Father Ruben, who serves both God and his prodigious appetite with equal devotion; Dona Lala, the fantastic witch offering custom-brewed spells and incantations; and Treenie Contreras, a slippery scoundrel who will walk on water for a fee.

Come and pay a visit to Tecate, where the air is like wine, the smiles are free, and day-to-day miracles have the power to change destiny.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Several years ago I took a trip via bus through the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. I wish that I would have had Dan Revele's short story collection SALSA AND CHIPS with me. Without it, I was puzzled (and sometimes frazzled) by the vagueries of the Mexican bus transportation system, hotel reservation "systems," and the very different pace of life far south of the border.

Had I read SALSA AND CHIPS, I would have very clearly understood that, as Dan pointed out to me, there is definite "Mexican Way" of doing things. Not that I was the Ugly American tourist or anything like that, but Dan's warm and affectionate tales of the people of Tecate, Mexico would certainly have had a better time bouncing through the countryside. Having El Flako, the hopless bungler and schemer, Father Ruben, the priest who is devoted to all things spiritual as well as edible, and Treenie Contraras, the charming scoundrel who can make anything happen (for a price) as companions would smooted some of those rough rodes and brought a smile to my face.

Maybe you can't afford a long trip through the Yucatan, but Dan Reveles can take you just across the border to a place that's filled with magic. A place where you can settle down in the plaza and be entertained by town's many inhabitants.

And if you like SALSA AND CHIPS, be sure to check out Dan's previous story collection, ENCHILADAS, RICE, AND BEANS.

From the Inside Flap

In Salsa and Chips, Daniel Reveles welcomes us to Tecate, the enchanting dusty border town where no one is in a hurry and Time's winged chariot has broken down on Avenida Juarez. Wander through the plaza. Listen to the sweet madrigals of the taco man, the flower girl, and the fortune-telling canary. See the human flame-thrower and watch the bug-eater pop a spider in his mouth for a quarter.

In these luminous novelas, Daniel Reveles serves up the vast banquet of life. Peppered with magical realism and cultural nuance, triumph and despair, passion and spice, each story is a delectable meal for the heart and soul.

Meet El Flako, a hopeless bungler and his exasperated compadres; Father Ruben, who serves both God and his prodigious appetite with equal devotion; Dona Lala, the fantastic witch offering custom-brewed spells and incantations; and Treenie Contreras, a slippery scoundrel who will walk on water for a fee.

Come and pay a visit to Tecate, where the air is like wine, the smiles are free, and day-to-day miracles have the power to change destiny.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine; 1st edition (September 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345405099
• ISBN-13: 978-0345405098
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,260,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daniel Reveles was born in Los Angeles of Mexican-born parents. He has been in some aspect of the entertainment industry since his youth as a songwriter,and late-night disc jockey. He has written and directed a wide variety of foreign documentaries for American television featuring Ricardo Montalban, Vincent Price, Jose Ferrer, and others. He never lost his Mexican soul. One day while driving he accidentally stumbled on Tecate, fell in love with the pueblo,and stayed. He lives on a ranch "in the middle of nowhere" where he devotes his time to writing, listening to the coyotes in concert and talking to the owls.

Next time I see something interesting in the plaza I'll share it with you right here. And you can reach me at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Salsa & Chips is great, March 11, 2000

By 

SDSU student (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Salsa and Chips (Paperback)

This is one of the best kept secrets of eloquent writing. I've finished this book in one breath. Since I live in San Diego and have been in Tecate, I can relate to a lot of the descriptions. Reading this book makes me want to visit Tecate again and really look for some of the things described. The style of the book is such that Reveles seems to compose music with his words. The descriptions are original, complex and show a command of the english language like no other. The suspense makes this book a first rank page turner. Great book worth to buy several copies of to send to friends.

PS. I can't believe I found a autographed copy in the dumpster, thrown away by one of my neighbors. What a sin.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hungry for more..., July 25, 2002

By 

Gregory Wallace "Gregg" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Salsa and Chips (Paperback)

I bought this book today and read it all in one reading, could not set it down one moment. So now I'm on Amazon.com to buy his other book. As I can best describe it, Reveles stories are warm but realistic, light but insightful, and each with their own points of wit. Having lived in Mexico for 7 weeks this summer, I could appreciate the brief inclusions of Spanish vocabulary tidbits and "culturalisms", but Reveles writing brings these cultural pieces to life equally for the American reader unacquainted with life south of the border. I absolutely recommend this book to all ages and both genders alike, and I'd say buy it since those around you will be curious after you laugh out loud while devouring each story in this book. Enjoy!

4.0 out of 5 stars Not my favorite, but still so good, September 1, 2010

By 

Sandy Eggo "Book Lover" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Salsa and Chips (Paperback)

I love all of Daniel Reveles' books, but this may be my least favorite of the four. The stories are new, but much of the setting is familiar--you gotta love this town. And the people will make you laugh!