The Review of Contemporary Fiction

Cruel Fictions, Cruel Realities: Short Stories by Latin American Women Writers by Kathy S. Leonard
Robert Headley

Kathy S. Leonard, ed. and trans. Cruel Fictions, Cruel Realities: Short Stories by Latin American Women Writers. Latin American Literary Review Press, 1997. 131 pp. Paper: $15.95.

This new fiction anthology features nineteen excellent stories by twelve South American women writers. As the title suggests, cruelty is the controlling passion that links these works, although some of the tales are tinged with the magic realism and black humor so frequently encountered in contemporary Latin American literature.
Gilda Holst Molestina of Ecuador, for example, provides “The Competition,” a wonderful story in which a sadistic professor who delights in embarrassing students is reduced to a cowering fool. Similarly, Argentinean author Ana María Shua’s “A Profession Like Any Other” is an object lesson (worthy of Monty Python) in the dangers of angering one’s dentist.
A number of stories, such as “Bus Stop” by Chilean writer María Eugenia Lorenzini, reveal the often dreary, sometimes harsh and empty lives of so many South American women, while others—Velia Calvimonte’s “Coati 1950” and Colombian author, Nayla Chehade Durán’s “The Vigil”—expose the raw, senseless violence too typical in parts of Latin America. Also, Kathy S. Leonard’s biographical sketches and editorial comments provide a helpful framework for approaching these stories.
For readers new to South American fiction, Cruel Fictions, Cruel Realities is a strong starting point. As Ana María Shua’s thoughtful forward illustrates, even though the voices throughout are female, these stories transcend genders issues, focusing instead on entertaining, thought-provoking tales of human existence. Those familiar with Latino literature will find this anthology an enjoyable addition. [Robert Headley]


Interview with Founder Board of Directors Funders Submission Guidelines Dalkey Archive Full Catalog Current and Forthcoming Titles Recent Titles Review of Contemporary Fiction Special Library Offer Special Backlist Sale Stores & Wholesalers Academics Libraries Reviewers Context Casebooks Author Interviews Links Dalkey Archive News Events Newsletter

The Review of Contemporary Fiction Cruel Fictions, Cruel Realities: Short Stories by Latin American Women Writers by Kathy S. Leonard Robert Headley Kathy S. Leonard, ed. and trans. Cruel Fictions, Cruel Realities: Short Stories by Latin American Women Writers. Latin American Literary Review Press, 1997. 131 pp. Paper: $15.95. This new fiction anthology features nineteen excellent stories by twelve South American women writers. As the title suggests, cruelty is the controlling passion that links these works, although some of the tales are tinged with the magic realism and black humor so frequently encountered in contemporary Latin American literature. Gilda Holst Molestina of Ecuador, for example, provides “The Competition,” a wonderful story in which a sadistic professor who delights in embarrassing students is reduced to a cowering fool. Similarly, Argentinean author Ana María Shua’s “A Profession Like Any Other” is an object lesson (worthy of Monty Python) in the dangers of angering one’s dentist. A number of stories, such as “Bus Stop” by Chilean writer María Eugenia Lorenzini, reveal the often dreary, sometimes harsh and empty lives of so many South American women, while others—Velia Calvimonte’s “Coati 1950” and Colombian author, Nayla Chehade Durán’s “The Vigil”—expose the raw, senseless violence too typical in parts of Latin America. Also, Kathy S. Leonard’s biographical sketches and editorial comments provide a helpful framework for approaching these stories. For readers new to South American fiction, Cruel Fictions, Cruel Realities is a strong starting point. As Ana María Shua’s thoughtful forward illustrates, even though the voices throughout are female, these stories transcend genders issues, focusing instead on entertaining, thought-provoking tales of human existence. Those familiar with Latino literature will find this anthology an enjoyable addition. [Robert Headley]

Search the full text of our books: