Patricia Engel (1)

“And maybe there is no nation or citizenry; they’re just territories mapped in place of family, in place of love, the infinite country.” (191)
...

This is a story of myth, of legend. It’s actually several stories that move between borders and across countries through oral tradition and documenting experiences. It’s a collection of stories about love and the sacrifices we make for those we love; it’s about atonement and what we’re willing to do to feel worthy; it’s about belonging and the journey we take to find home. I love the journey of this family—a beautiful mosaic of snapshots pieced together from their individual experiences. In an ebb and flow between two countries and between different time periods, the full picture of this family emerges. And it’s a beautiful picture.

I loved getting to know each member of this family, and while I really love how each member of the family offers a slightly different perspective of the immigrant experience, Mauro and Talia, the two who stay in Columbia for fifteen years, are my favorites. From the beginning, my heart ached for Mauro, abandoned and neglected from an early age. His struggle for something better than what he’d been given but doesn’t feel he deserves had me rooting for him and his American dream early on. I love his love for Elena and his family and the work he goes through battling his demons of alcoholism and abandonment in order to be the man his family deserves. I love Talia and her strength and compassion. She is fierce and loyal, which is apparent in her caring for her dying grandmother and her trek across Columbia after her escape from a girl’s prison. I also really love the relationship she has with her father and how she rescues her father even while she’s just a baby.

Mostly, what I love about this book is that it is a story of a family, a family who endures and sacrifices in order to be together—no matter the cost.
… (mais)

Reina Castillo, born in Columbia, living in Miami. Her brother, Carlito ends up on death row and Reina feels responsible. So much so that she visits him every weekend, not that she had anything else to do.

Personally I couldn't get on with the book, I didn't understand Reina's dedication to her brother, even given the guilt. Her character is numb, she connects with no-one and is really hard to relate to or like. I felt the story wandered too much and seemed rather aimlessly, so I struggled to engage with it in any way.… (mais)

( Avg. Rating: 4.25; Audio Narration: 4.5)

“Survival requires different things of different people.”
The Faraway World: Stories by Patricia Engel is a compilation of ten previously published short stories that are set across Cuba, Colombia, and the United States. The stories touch upon themes of love, friendship, family, loss, regret, and class distinction among others. A running theme in these stories is the emotional connection or lack thereof to one’s homeland and/or one’s adopted country focusing on scenarios on both sides of the immigrant experience - those who stay and those who leave – motivated by fear, hopes, dreams, ambition, love, and/or security. We meet characters who remain tied to their roots for the sake of family, sentimental reasons or a dearth of opportunity. We also meet characters who are motivated to emigrate in search of a more rewarding life, in search of wealth, love and/or security.

What are the emotional /psychological costs of choosing to stay or to leave? Are all such dreams realized? Is it even possible to distance oneself from one’s roots? Whether seeking to preserve one’s connection to the world one leaves behind or trying to find a sense of belongingness in a new world, the characters in these stories grapple with love, loss, loneliness, isolation, and regret as they navigate their way through family, friendship, and life in general.

In “Aida” (5/5), the teenage daughter of an immigrant family settled in the United States struggles in the aftermath of the disappearance of her twin sister – a tragedy that tears her family apart. “Fausto” (3.5/5) revolves around a young girl who has to choose between staying with her father and moving to Columbia with the young man she is romantically involved with when he has to flee The United States to avoid being arrested for illegal activities. In “The Book of Saints” (5/5) explores an arranged marriage between a Columbian woman who misses her home and a controlling and oppressive American man. In “Campoamor,”(3/5) an aspiring writer in Columbia spends most of his time juggling two girlfriends while contemplating a move to the United States with one of them, aware that his lies and deception would eventually be exposed. In “Guapa” (4/5) a tragic accident shatters the hopes and dreams of a young woman, who had been living life on her own terms. “La Ruta” (5/5) revolves around the tender friendship between a taxi driver and a young woman who visits a Church every day to pray for an opportunity to emigrate to the United States. “Ramiro” (3/5), revolves around Chana and Ramiro, both of whom are in the employ of the Church in an attempt to reform them – Ramiro from being arrested for his gang affiliation and Chana for her delinquent behavior, skipping school and her promiscuity. “The Bones of Cristóbal Colón” (4/5), revolves around a sister searching for a safe place to bury the remains of her deceased brother, a priest whose grave was desecrated and some of his remains stolen. She also reconnects with her former lover, who has since emigrated but is currently visiting Cuba. The dynamics between a Columbian woman employed as domestic help in the home of another Columbian woman form the basis for “Libélula” (5/5). In “Aguacero” (5/5) a chance meeting between two fellow Columbians (one a young woman who is an immigrant based in New Jersey and the other a middle-aged man from Madrid) in New York leads to a brief but impactful friendship.

Having previously read and enjoyed Patricia Engel's Infinite Country, I was eager to read more of her work and this collection of short stories does not disappoint. The author writes beautifully. Engel excels in her sensitive portrayal of human relationships. Her characters are real in that they are flawed. Despite the common themes explored throughout the book, each of these ten stories stands as unique. As in most collections, I enjoyed some stories more than the others but overall this is an impressive compilation of stories each of which is well-written and emotionally impactful. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.

I paired my reading with the exceptional full-cast narration featuring Patricia Engel, Gisela Chipé, Frankie Corzo, Inés del Castillo, Cynthia Farrell, Dominique Franceschi, George Newbern, Anthony Rey Perez, Aida Reluzco, Alejandra Reynoso and Gary Tiedemann.… (mais)

A young couple wishing to escape their own country travel to the US on tourist visas. But when the visas expire, they don’t leave. Flash forward to when their children are nearly grown. The family has become separated when one gets into trouble with the law and is deported, taking a child along. The book is written in a disjointed manner, jumping from one narrator to another and one time frame to another without a smooth transition. While feeling empathy for a family torn in two, it is hard to condone illegal behavior, ignoring immigration laws, and sneaking back into the US when legal methods don’t work. How sad for those who obey the rules and the laws! Warning: there is a scene in the very beginning of the story when a cat is tortured and murdered. As my review indicates, I did not care for the writing or the subject matter. Not recommended.… (mais)