Reviews

Red Ants by Pergentino José

scrow1022's review

4.0

Dreamy, surrealistic stories. Made me think of Kafka (then read that Pergentino considers him an influence). Elements specifically reference Oaxaca highland culture/politics - I missed that at first but the stories are clearly layered, troubling. Coming back to them after reading more about his background gives additional depth and emotion to them.

florrl's review

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

tregina's review

3.0

The phrase “fragment of a dream” is such a cliché, but it’s also apt when it comes to this collection of stories. Each one felt like a fragment of a dream, an isolated moment with a natural-feeling mingling the mythic or surreal and the concrete world, but also only a hazy sense beginning or ending.

However, that style also made each story feel incomplete, more of a portrait or a vignette than a story in and of itself. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, just a structural expectation I had that I needed to get past to get a full experience out of each piece. If I read it again I might get more out of it, but as it is I was left a bit unsatisfied.

I’m sure there are cultural connections that I am missing, but still I found the writing lovely, the themes thought-provoking, and a few of the pieces haunted me long after I read them.

ameyalli's review

Deadass can't process anything I'm reading 

adrianasturalvarez's review

4.0

Extremely well produced book here. I'm impressed with the attention to detail from Deep Vellum Publishing. The book of short stories isn't too shabby, either. This is the first translated literary work originally written in the Sierra Zapotec language and the stories are absolutely haunting. Magical realism dialed up to 11, and the effect is beautiful and dream-like. Unfortunately, the stories are also very easy to forget. Like, total memory wipe as soon as you finish the last page. I think that has to do with the way a reader experiences them and I'm still wrestling with whether that is a bad thing or not because certainly while reading I felt a sense of urgency and exhilaration. Your experience may be different but I do recommend you find out!

brodunwin's review

challenging inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25