Kali Fajardo-Anstine: Sabrina & Corina, One World New York, Penguin Random House, small hardback

Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s  “Sabrina & Corina” was a finalist for this year’s  National Book Award and has been listed several times as one of the best books of the year, deservedly in my opinion. She is definitely someone to watch, falling into the writing steps of Sandra Cisneros and Julia Alvarez.  The book has one of the most beautiful covers I have seen all year, you want to pick up a copy  just alone for that.

Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s literary short stories have a kick, most are set in Denver / Colorado describing the everyday world of Latinas. Reading them off and on, they had a powerful effect on me every time, I often felt unsettled when a story was finished. In parts reminding me of the subtle way Elizabeth Strouts’s describes the undercurrents running in seemingly ordinary lives, Fajardo-Anstine tells life stories in her very own distinctive voice. The tales of Latino working class women, their tragedies,  loves and abuse are so very real,  their story painful and aching at times.  But they also tell of female strength and family bonding.  “Sabrina & Corina” is probably the most powerful one, giving the collection its name. But they are all exquisitely written, be it “Galapago”  where a grandmother kills an intruder or “Any further West” where a  sex worker picks up her daughter heading for San Diego to find a new life,   “Remedies”  where New Mexican heritage and a half sibling provide strength to a young girl  or “Ghost Sickness” which also has a Native American element.  

Sandra Cisneros’ quote says it best: These stories blaze like wildfires.