Blog — Latinx in Publishing

The idea of history repeating itself was a thought that rang through my head as I read “Daughter of Fire” by Sofia Robleda. I am of Latinx descent and I am living in the US during a time that in some ways and in some parts mirrors how life was experienced during that time. Or I should rather say how some people experienced life at that time. Reading this beautifully written novel you are transported to the mid 1500’s Guatemala. As the story of Catalina Cerrato unfolds we are introduced to this slip of a girl, thrust into society, totally unprepared for it and the harsh realities of womanhood she now faces.

The themes of misogyny, religious overreaching, colonization, genocide, traditions, rituals and the desire to live as a feminist before feminism was even given birth to can all be found within the pages of the novel. Also within this story we are treated to the struggles of the lower class, the forbidden love between a same-sex couple and the betrayal between friends created from fear mongering that leads to murder. The story also captures a forbidden love affair, the kind that lasts a lifetime.

If coming of age, post colonization of the Mayan empire was the only challenge that this young noblewoman faced, the story would fade quickly; however it is not the case. The reader is given a glimpse of the aftermath of a world of the colonizer and those that suffered under their oppression. What sets this novel apart from others is that it is peppered with fact and fiction, woven together so masterfully that it could very well be taken solely as fact.

“There is so much that colors the pages of this work of historical fiction and so much detail is given that it seems as if we are standing alongside Catalina staring into a fountain searching for a flower to appear. ”

The reader learns of the mix of blood that flows through the veins of Catalina, half inherited from her mother, and the other half from her father. Two very different worlds, this clashing that gave birth to a young woman who would spend her life trying to live the path she was born to follow. Unfortunately, for her father, that is not the one that he wished she would take.

We see the lives of the Mexican Empire, Maya civilization, Spanish colonizers, the Catholic church and even the Indigenous peoples that inhabited the lands of both upper and lower classes as well as their struggles to coexist in the same world. There is so much that colors the pages of this work of historical fiction and so much detail is given that it seems as if we are standing alongside Catalina staring into a fountain searching for a flower to appear.

Finally, supporting our main character are such wonderfully described individuals, such as the cook with her impact on the life of Catalina; Cristobal, the cousin, whose dedication to Catalina is often misunderstood; her parents, one who is living as well as one that haunts her dreams, seeking a promise that needs to be fulfilled in order for a civilization’s history to not be lost. All of these characters add to the story and give life to the period making a portal for the reader to step through to another time and place.

I highly recommend this novel. You the reader will be pleasantly surprised at the attention to detail Robleda gives each character, as to that of the scenery that adds to the setting of each chapter. I also feel that you will be inspired by the author to learn more, or for the first time, the history of a civilization that would have been forgotten if not for the bravery of a few individuals that would not allow something like that to happen. Do yourself a favor and take the journey with Catalina.

Angela “Angie” Ybarra- Soria is a book reviewer, activist, mixed media artist, writer and entrepreneur. An obstacle that may have stood in her way happened in 2013, she suffered 4 brain bleeds and emergency brain surgery, Angela however likes to think of herself as a TBI THRIVER. Angie is a recent graduate of Northeastern Illinois University where she studied Latinx American Studies and Urban Development. Angela has been an advocate for stopping gentrification within brown and Black communities of Chicago. Angela enjoys spending her down time with her grandchildren and introducing them to the sights of the city where she was born and raised. Being of Mexican descent has prompted her to research much about the rich culture of her ancestral heritage. Angela plans to continue her education by pursuing her Masters Degree in Urban Studies to further allow her to better assist communities that have for generations been, or worse, still marginalized.

In the pages of The Curse of The Flores Women by Angelica Lopes, the reader becomes drawn into a tale as old as time. A tale of women fighting to break the limitations of society. Steeped in tradition of their homeland and the pressure of being a woman in a man’s world, we are captivated by the beauty of the story of the Flores women. As the story opens we meet Alicia, who may seem to most as an angst-filled young woman. It is soon revealed that there is something she must fight to overcome. Tradition, self sacrifice, classism, and even the binds of her own female family members’ subordination to men. All of this binds her to a life she does not wish to live. All of the restrictions seem an insurmountable task for Alicia to undertake. Her story would be interesting all on its own, however Lopes crafts it into one that seems to transcend time and space to give us the story of generations of Flores women. One woman starts the story off and it falls into the hands of our current character Alicia, who unbeknownst to her, she now holds in her hands what may seem like an ordinary veil, it is in fact so much more than that. In her hands she now holds the key to what her ancestry withstood so she could become who she is meant to be.

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What starts as the tale of one young woman’s fight to be a nonconformist to society and its patriarchal stances, every facet of this young woman’s life turns into one of discovery, of what the women of her ancestral lineage have coursing through their veins. Courage, strength, and perseverance, which are only some of the wondrous qualities of these women, and that help to fuel their lives. Starting as a way to secretly share her story with others through the folds of some unassuming hand-sewn lace, a generational tale unravels before our eyes. The reader can empathize with these characters as it seems as if many females of today's society are still fighting for basic human rights. Today we are fighting for bodily autonomy and the right to privacy between ourselves and our doctors without fear of breaking a law or facing criminal offense charges. Gone are many traditions of old, and rightfully so because they would not be acceptable in today's society, yet some still rear their ugly and old-fashioned tentacles, making it seem as if we have made little to no progress for the feminist cause.

The Curse of the Flores Women takes the reader through some heart-wrenching moments, but there are still some other joyous times to share as well. The novel will allow you to see some of the trials and tribulations that have plagued women since the beginning of time. This book, even though it is a work of fiction, seems very much able to capture what life as a woman is like, from the past to the present day. The challenges from one era to another may be different, however the struggle is very much the same. Like learning the act of lace-making, its fragile threading, to its intricate and detailed designs, so are the lives of these characters. Women, not just Flores women, faced and continue to face societal pressures, as well as familial boundaries that try to limit the growth of womankind. It is with a whole heart and resounding “yes” that I recommend this book. I feel that as you read the last sentence of the last chapter you will be glad to have read this wonderful work of words. Regardless of your gender, you will walk a way with a better understanding of just what has plagued women and how to be an ally to women. Happy reading.

Book Review: 'Daughter of Fire' by Sofia Robleda

Book Review: 'The Curse of the Flores Women' by Angélica Lopes

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