Oscar Casares' debut collection of short stories was selected as an ALA Notable book and received tremendous praise from publications ranging from the New York Times and the Washington Post to Entertainment Weekly. These nine stories follow a collection of unforgettable characters trying to get by while living in the South Texas border town of Brownsville.
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"I really enjoyed reading this book. Oscar Casares did a wonderful job using Brownsville, Texas as the setting, yet writing stories that relate to all races and all people, rather than just Mexican-Americans. I like how Casares made the stories shorter than expected because that allows the reader to really engage with each particular story by having to think about what has happened rather than the author completing the story for you. Overall, this is an amazing book!" — Samantha (5 out of 5 stars)
"I really enjoyed reading this book. Oscar Casares did a wonderful job using Brownsville, Texas as the setting, yet writing stories that relate to all races and all people, rather than just Mexican-Americans. I like how Casares made the stories shorter than expected because that allows the reader to really engage with each particular story by having to think about what has happened rather than the author completing the story for you. Overall, this is an amazing book!"
" Easy read and plenty of stories for everyone. "
" Read it a long time ago. Really liked it. I am reviewing it as a "mentor text" for my short story collection for my capstone. "
" I picked this up in the exam list purchasing frenzy, but did not make the cut. Short stories set in Chicano communities in Texas. Not amazing literature, but occasionally amusing. The code-switching in this novel is sometimes a little out of nowhere "
" Stories from my hometown. Very true to my upbringing! "
" Interesting collection of short stories of Hispanic-Americans living in the border town. It's ok. From a multicultural standpoint it's great but the stories didn't touch me on a personal level and English major or not, that what matters to me. "
" Highly recommended if you grew up in a town bordering Mexico. Oscar Casares gets it right--the way people talk, the way they look, the way their lives go, everything. "
" Some of the stories fall short of being amazing. Yet a few give you glimpses of a writer finding his words and getting comfortable with his prose. A strong effort that captures an everyday Hispanic community that is becoming a larger part of the American landscape. "
" One of my favorite short story collections of all time! "
" I enjoyed reading this collection of stories set in the borderland. A solid work, and a good cultural exposition. I also enjoyed Casares's recent non-fiction story about his family history, which was published in Texas Monthly. "
" Brilliant. Character-driven stories that are written in a clean, deft style. Truly memorable characters. "
" Great short stories about life in and around Brownsville, Texas. You would love Bony who finds a monkey's head. "
" Simple stories about familiar people. "
" I just happened to stumble across this little book. I loved this collection of short stories. "
" I picked up a copy of "Brownsville" over the weekend - I laughed, I cried and I fondly recalled the three years that I lived in the Valley in reading it. "
" Spare stories that don't knock you over the head with meaning. Refreshing! One story is all about a man who simmers over a borrowed/unreturned hammer. The collection is about U.S.-Mexico border life - but not in the usual flashy magical realism meets immigration policy kind of a way. "
" I'm usually not a huge lover of short stories, but this is an excellent collection. The characters are strange, likeable, and people you'll swear you've had in class - yikes. "
" I'm not normally a fan of short story volumes, but this was an easy, enjoyable read. "
" good writing and stories. but too safe. his new novel is..better? "
" So far, it's been pretty amusing. "
" a really well written heart felt and inspirational collection of short stories. I could see the characters and know all them in one fashion or another. "
" blocky, colorless minimalism with a little Spanglish thrown in "
" Fictional collection of short stories about everyday life in the Rio Grande Valley. If you have ever lived in or frequented South Texas, these short stories will hit home. Wonderful slices of life about life in a region you can only understand if you've lived it. "
" Several funny/touching Raymond Carver type of stories centered around the city of Brownsville, TX. The philosophy of "If it's simple and works, don't complicate it" applies to these stories and is perfectly executed. "
Oscar Casares was born in the border town of Brownsville, Texas, the setting for his critically acclaimed story collection. The recipient of a 2006 National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, Casares is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and now teaches creative writing at the University of Texas in Austin, where he lives with his wife and young son.
Luis Moreno, a voice actor, has narrated several audiobooks throughout his career.
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