Invisible People: Stories of Lives at the Margins

This collection of pieces by the late Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Tizon (Little Big Man) is both an introduction to his work and a heartfelt tribute by friends and colleagues, who contribute introductions to each article. Standouts include a profile of a Hurricane Katrina refugee who started a new life in Alaska; an entry on the post-9/11 experiences of the only Muslim family in Sheridan, Wyo.; a story about the historical court of inquiry that overturned the 1858 murder conviction of Chief Leschi, the last leader of the Nisqually Indians; and the controversial posthumous Atlantic article for which Tizon (1959–2017) is probably best known, “My Family’s Slave.” It tells the story of Eudocia Tomas Pulido, a Filipina woman who spent her life caring for the author’s mother and her family after having been pressed into involuntary servitude as a young girl, eulogizing her and considering his own youthful complicity in her exploitation. Given that it’s a celebration of Tizon’s work, the collection highlights the praise the piece received and nearly ignores the controversy. Despite that, both longtime fans and those relatively new to Tizon’s work will come away from this collection with an appreciation for his unquestionable ability to narrate unusual stories in memorable ways. (Nov.)