A review by beebottoms
Night at the Fiestas: Stories by Kirstin Valdez Quade
5.0
Kirsten Valdez Quade writes her narrative and dialogue like a spread of butter on toast, seamlessly connected and constantly enjoyable. I'm probably overreaching my own abilities but I feel like she writes in a style very much like mine - or at least the style I love to write and want to write. That's a big reason why I'm so drawn to her stories here. Her first sentences grab me and the rest of the stories continue to pull me in in very straightforward, honest language that I can only describe as bright and sharp. The writing is energetic, youthful and perceptive. It's a very contemporary voice that I've been looking for! Maybe it's because most of her protagonists are interesting young females, but all the characters are colorfully portrayed.
Most of the stories are about family relationships especially between parent(s) and child. I love love love the first story 'Nemecia'. There's a brilliant air of mischief surrounding a pretty simple premise. Others I really love are 'The Five Wounds', 'Night at the Fiestas', 'Jubilee' and 'Family Reunion'. The others are wonderful too, each one unique. Except for the last story, 'The Manzanos' - that one was quite all over the place.
One thing about the writing that stuck out oddly a bit, to me, was how the author ended most of the stories. The endings were pretty abrupt and confusing... But maybe it's just my poor understanding. Great debut collection! I can't wait to read more from the author :)
Most of the stories are about family relationships especially between parent(s) and child. I love love love the first story 'Nemecia'. There's a brilliant air of mischief surrounding a pretty simple premise. Others I really love are 'The Five Wounds', 'Night at the Fiestas', 'Jubilee' and 'Family Reunion'. The others are wonderful too, each one unique. Except for the last story, 'The Manzanos' - that one was quite all over the place.
One thing about the writing that stuck out oddly a bit, to me, was how the author ended most of the stories. The endings were pretty abrupt and confusing... But maybe it's just my poor understanding. Great debut collection! I can't wait to read more from the author :)