Enanitos Toreros

Mexican photographer Corona spent over a decade photographing the Enanitos Toreros (""Dwarf Bullfighters""), a show that paradoxically has been considered both an exploitive spectacle and a refuge for the Mexican dwarf population. As Corona states in her introduction, ""Although some performers have a genuine interest in the performing arts, the majority participate in Enanitos Toreros because of a lack of viable employment options. Even so, many described to me the satisfaction they take in making dwarfs more visible and in defying stereotypes about their ability and skill through these shows."" Corona's photography displays these contradictions well. Stunning shots of the dwarfs in the bullring contrast with quiet moments backstage, with kitschy costumes giving way to jeans and t-shirts as the dwarfs participate in a private life with friends and family. The photographs, in color as well as black and white, are indexed and captioned. Presented in Spanish and English, a collection of first-person narratives by the performers featured in the photographs illustrates their vast diversity of experiences and backgrounds. Recommended for any academic library, in particular any collection with a focus on documentary photography. Laura Torres, Arlington, MA