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meshell's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
E. G. Condé' has written such a powerful novella of resilience and grace. Anchored around several main characters that feel very much alive - Vero (a trans man) and Dona Margarita (an elder), but also many of the supporting characters as well. I appreciated the different methods of survival and revolution explored in this book. Both the full on fight and battle to the more subtle community of care.
There is also thoughtful and respectful Deaf representation - Dagüao - being an active and included member of the revolution and community, in both action and technical expertise,
I was unfamiliar with Taino Arawak, Yucatec Maya languages, and got to encounter many in this text. Most were translated contextually, or within the text in someway, but there is also a helpful glossary at the back of words that might be unfamiliar. I found the language use important and intentional - and it only slightly slowed my pace.
There is so much love, and compassion within this book, but also anger, grief, and loss - some big topics - challenging re-colonization by foreign powers, the impacts of the climate crisis, the questionable intentions and priorities of aid efforts, the after effects of dictatorships, and collective resistance. I left feeling both energized, inspired, and also curious about the history of the areas mentioned.
The beautiful cover by Paulina Niño (yes I do occasionally judge books by their cover), curiosity about Tainofuturism, and a precedent of good instincts of the publisher, Stelliform Press made me pick this book up, and I'm glad I did.
I am grateful to netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC
There is also thoughtful and respectful Deaf representation - Dagüao - being an active and included member of the revolution and community, in both action and technical expertise,
I was unfamiliar with Taino Arawak, Yucatec Maya languages, and got to encounter many in this text. Most were translated contextually, or within the text in someway, but there is also a helpful glossary at the back of words that might be unfamiliar. I found the language use important and intentional - and it only slightly slowed my pace.
There is so much love, and compassion within this book, but also anger, grief, and loss - some big topics - challenging re-colonization by foreign powers, the impacts of the climate crisis, the questionable intentions and priorities of aid efforts, the after effects of dictatorships, and collective resistance. I left feeling both energized, inspired, and also curious about the history of the areas mentioned.
The beautiful cover by Paulina Niño (yes I do occasionally judge books by their cover), curiosity about Tainofuturism, and a precedent of good instincts of the publisher, Stelliform Press made me pick this book up, and I'm glad I did.
I am grateful to netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation and Violence
Minor: Death, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Transphobia, and War
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