Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
"Santos-Febres and 13 other contributors of Puerto Rican heritage take full advantage of San Juan s wide range of disparities between rich and poor, weak and powerful, tourists and residents, in this fine addition to Akashic s noir anthology series."
--Publisher's Weekly
"San Juan Noir is a brilliantly polished literary gem that showcases life on the fringes of society. Every tale glows in its own darkness, piercingly tugging at the remnants of human decency. We must do better, it screams. Yes, we must. Highly recommended."
-- Jamaica Gleaner
Akashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each story is set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city of the book.
Brand-new stories by: Wilfredo J. Burgos Matos, Ernesto Quinonez, Mayra Santos-Febres, Jose Rabelo, Luis Negron, Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro, Ana Maria Fuster Lavin, Janette Becerra, Manolo Nunez Negron, Tere Davila, Edmaris Carazo, Alejandro Alvarez Nieves, Charlie Vazquez, and Manuel A. Melendez. Translated by Will Vanderhyden.
From the introduction by Mayra Santos-Febres
"Puerto Rico is often portrayed as sandy beaches, casinos, luxury hotels, relaxation, and never-ending pleasure--a place that satisfies all senses and appetites.
Yet the city of San Juan is much more than that. The capital of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the oldest Spanish settlement in all the territories and colonies of the United States. Since Puerto Rico is economically dependent on the US, the financial downturn of 2008 hit us hard. Many Puerto Ricans have left the island, looking for a better life. Crime has risen and the black market has thrived. As in many crises, art, music, and literature have also flourished. Never before has there been so much literary production. We have responded to our crisis with many stories to tell. And, especially in these times, many of those stories are noir...
I hope these stories spark your imagination, and reveal a side of Puerto Rico otherwise obscured by the tourist trade and preconceptions. Maybe it will also pique your curiosity, and you will come visit our 'pearl of the Caribbean.'"
"
Synopsis
Brand-new stories by: Wilfredo J. Burgos Matos, Ernesto Qui onez, Mayra Santos-Febres, Jos Rabelo, Luis Negr n, Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro, Ana Mar a Fuster Lav n, Janette Becerra, Manolo N ez Negr n, Tere D vila, Edmaris Carazo, Alejandro lvarez Nieves, Charlie V zquez, and Manuel A. Mel ndez. Translated by Will Vanderhyden.
From the introduction by Mayra Santos-Febres:
"Puerto Rico is often portrayed as sandy beaches, casinos, luxury hotels, relaxation, and never-ending pleasure-a place that satisfies all senses and appetites.
Yet the city of San Juan is much more than that. The capital of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the oldest Spanish settlement in all the territories and colonies of the United States. Since Puerto Rico is economically dependent on the US, the financial downturn of 2008 hit us hard. Many Puerto Ricans have left the island, looking for a better life. Crime has risen and the black market has thrived. As in many crises, art, music, and literature have also flourished. Never before has there been so much literary production. We have responded to our crisis with many stories to tell. And, especially in these times, many of those stories are noir . . .
I hope these stories spark your imagination, and reveal a side of Puerto Rico otherwise obscured by the tourist trade and preconceptions. Maybe it will also pique your curiosity, and you will come visit our 'pearl of the Caribbean.'"
Synopsis
"A welcomed addition to the publisher's popular noir series, San Juan Noir has the distinction of being issued in two editions, English and Spanish, to more accurately reflect the Caribbean island's bilingual culture. Editor Santos-Febres gathers a varied collection of stories she expects will 'reveal a side of Puerto Rico otherwise obscured by the tourist trade and preconception.'" --NBC News Latino
La serie noir ha hecho una marca fuerte en el Caribe con Havana Noir, Kingston Noir, Haiti Noir, y Trinidad Noir. Este volumen muestra el hecho que la isla del Puerto Rico no es totalmente playas arenosas y hoteles extravagantes. Mayra Santos-Febres es uno de los titanes literarios de la isla, y ella ha reclutado una lista estelar de compatriotas a contribuir.
Cuentos nuevos por: Wilfredo J. Burgos Matos, Ernesto Quinonez, Mayra Santos-Febres, Jos Rabelo, Luis Negr n, Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro, Ana Mar a Fuster Lav n, Janette Becerra, Manolo N nez Negr n, Tere D vila, Edmaris Carazo, Alejandro lvarez Nieves, Charlie V zquez y Manuel A. Mel ndez.