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THE ALMOST MURDER by Theresa Saldaña

THE ALMOST MURDER

And Other Stories

by Theresa Saldaña

Pub Date: Oct. 31st, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-55885-507-6
Publisher: Piñata Books/Arte Público

This debut collection of introspective stories offers a glimpse into the lives of young, urban Latinas dealing with painful and challenging issues. Tackling topics such as alcoholism, domestic violence and obesity, each story manages to be at once realistic and hopeful. The stories are inhabited by young girls desiring what many teens want: to be normal. All told in first-person narratives, they read like private journals, giving readers an intimate look at the interior lives of the characters. Such contemporary referents as reality TV and e-mail are juxtaposed against the more traditional influences of Latin culture, creating a feeling of cultural tension. Unfortunately, the overfamiliar story lines and static characters keep this collection from ringing true. Fettered by immature writing and a feeling of self-consciousness, the tales will leave readers with a feeling of impatience and dissatisfaction. Misses the mark. (Short stories. 12 & up)