Fight Like a Man
& Other Stories We Tell Our Children
Christine Granados
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The border region of El Paso and Juarez sets the stage for this novella about a middle-aged woman experiencing a sexual re-awakening that turns reckless. Monica is pregnant, but not by her husband. The spark left her marriage years ago; her and her husband Sal live together, but mostly fight and struggle with their mouthy American teenage children. Monica, though, has started to see a local lowlife, Regie, on the side. Their passionate encounters grow more audacious, then things turn unexpectedly dangerous. The pacing of the novella is excellent: the chapters are short, and the frequent code-switching in the dialogue is also spot on. Folks who live or grew up along the border will nod and chuckle at the Spanglish. The humor, though, coats a haunting, dark center and central question: what happens when we cease to be attracted to our lovers of so long? |
Monica's childhood was punctuated by a father who had two families: one in El Paso, the other in Juarez. She fears she may be repeating his mistakes, but also questions the concept of monogamy. Moni feels guilt at failing society's notion of fidelity, yet explores and enjoys her sensuality. This tension propels the narrative towards an unexpected climax.
The seven stories that form part of this collection also are set in the border, strongly written, and capture different aspects of life, from the classroom of "Stupids" to the foibles of youth sports in "Good Father."
Fight Like a Man & Other Stories is a vivid look at those who love and those who lose along the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez border.
The seven stories that form part of this collection also are set in the border, strongly written, and capture different aspects of life, from the classroom of "Stupids" to the foibles of youth sports in "Good Father."
Fight Like a Man & Other Stories is a vivid look at those who love and those who lose along the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez border.
Christine Granados has been a journalist with the El Paso Times and the Austin American-Statesman. She is a reporter at the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post. Her second book of fiction, Fight Like a Man and Other Stories We Tell Our Children, was published by the University of New Mexico Press in 2017.
Fight Like a Man & Other Stories is publication by the University of New Mexico Press. Click here to purchase.
Fight Like a Man & Other Stories is publication by the University of New Mexico Press. Click here to purchase.
Reviewed by
Elliott Turner 12/18/2018 |
Elliott Turner is the author of The Night of the Virgin, one of "the top ten fiction books of 2017" according to TheLatinoAuthor.com. His writing has appeared in The Guardian, Atticus Reviews, VICE, Fusion, SplitLip Mag, and Transect Magazine.
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