Currents from the Dancing River: Contemporary Latino Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry

This stand-out collection grants a unique perspective into the lives of Spanish-speaking people in the United States, primarily Cuban, Puerto Rican and Mexican Americans. The view is not a pretty one; throughout these pieces, the recurring themes are naturally enough of poverty and alienation. But if the vision is shared, the voices that describe it are distinctive. Including not only recognized authors such as Rudolfo Anaya, Cristina Garcia and Luis J. Rodriguez, this anthology offers a welcome introduction to lesser known writers as well. And if Gonzalez (Memory Fever: A Journey Beyond El Paso del Norte) could pehaps have been a bit more selective, the collection gives a real feel for the culture, and there are many pieces that are revealing. Luis Alberto Urrea recounts the events surrounding his father's death with a keen eye and savage irony, bearinging witness to a distinctly Mexican sensibility. ``Maya'' by Alma Luz Villanueva is a touching story of personal redemption that invokes a beautiful image from Spanish myth. Readers unfamiliar with the language may stumble on passages incorporating Spanish words, a problem that could easily have been remedied by notes. However, this remains a valuable work, underscoring the significant contribution Latino writers have made in recent years to American literature. (Oct.)