Cuentistas Cubanas de Hoy

Criticas

Known for her feminist poetry and research of Cuban women's literature from various generations, Cuban native Bobes follows the tradition established by earlier anthologies of Cuban women's literature (e.g., Estatuas de sal [Salt Statues], Uni"n, 1998) with this collection of short stories. The 14 storytellers, who include poets, playwrights, essayists, journalists, and children's book authors, range from Dora Alonso (b. 1910) to Ana Lidia Vega (b. 1968). Bobes's selection illustrates a variety of styles, from realism to magical realism, poetic prose to fantasy, and memoir to fiction. Dora Alonso's "Once caballos" ("Eleven Horses"), for instance, a story about horses being taken to the slaughterhouse, is a parable about life and death. With the exception of Nancy Alonso's "Tirar la primera piedra" ("Throwing the First Stone"), which gives candid commentary on social conditions such as the infamous Cuban jineteras ("prostitutes"), most of these stories skirt the issues central to contemporary Cuba. They do, however, offer a solid overview of what Cuban women are writing today and of a perspective that has not been heard for decades. Although the quality of the writing is accessible and decent, there are no stellar stories in the selection. Recommended for libraries and bookstores with Cuban literary collections. Tatiana de la Tierra, Univ. at Buffalo Lib., NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.