Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra's short stories collection "The Fish Tank: And Other Short Stories" is a jewel.
Of the four sections, "For the Fun of Writing (Just Because), Soul Songs (Stories from the Cuban Diaspora), Prologues (prequel stories from upcoming novels), and The End," Soul Songs impressed me the most. Having lived in the Florida Keys, home to many Cuban refugees, Alonso-Sierra's stories reminded me of similar stories I have heard.
Alonso-Sierra's gift for writing allows the readers to "see" her characters' thinking, struggle with conflict, and the will to overcome whatever the obstacle.
Her book features a lot of strong women and I liked that.
In "Jerry's Gift" it's Maureen who got out of a non working marriage. Though she supported her ex, Jerry, while he studied corporate law, he did not value her as a partner and his family did not treasure her. But Jerry isn't as perfect as he thinks. Busy with philandering and trying to manipulate things so Maureen'd get as little money as possible, Jerry forgot that had hid her jewelry together with his late grandmother’s. And, since Jerry, not Maureen, took the jewelry out of the safety box nobody would ever be able to track it back to her.
But, having taken "the gift" Maureen doesn't sit idle, she builds a new life for herself. And, she enjoys it.
"... Every afternoon, after she stopped the refurbishing, she made a pitcher of lemonade and sat facing the eighty-year-old maple trees at the edge of the property. Her ritual. Her space. Her world..."
In "Rites of Passage" it's Kate who overcomes her disliking of roller coasters to support her son Bryan. Finally tall enough, Bryan wants to ride the highest, scariest roller coaster but his father won't let him go alone or ride with him. Supporting Bryan is so empowering that Kate overcomes her own emotional restraints.
"... With a heartfelt sigh, I stand in line again."
In "Bubbles Don't Bring Smiles" it's Abue Cachita (Abue, shortened from abuela, spanish for grandmother) who keeps her cool as Castro's soldiers are approaching, searching for American goods while the “... glorious Comandante (Castro) is at the front lines. He will not cower to the enemy that threatens to destroy our glorious revolution.”..."
Alonso-Sierra features not only clever women stores, there is also a detective Nick Larson Story, with a Alonso-Sierra's third novel about his detective work forthcoming.
Maybe not surprising the story that moved me the most is The Fish Tank* (*2015 Finalist at Carried in Waves Contest from the University of Cork, Ireland), also depicted on the cover.
The opening of this story holds the clue
"... (Matilda's) back created a perfect parallel to the chair’s backrest barely two inches behind her, and the organza skirt she wore, a faded green, frothed around her legs, its color a pitiful contrast against the vivid white petticoat underneath. She tried not to move, unlike the other adults inside the room who shifted nervously in kaleidoscope patterns..."
Matilda is about to leave Cuba with her mother. They are going to join her Papi who escaped after the Playa Girón invasion. Matilda brings only one toy, "... a beautiful Snow White doll, crafted in Switzerland, with a smooth porcelain face, round innocent eyes, rosy cheeks, and a pout for a smile. A family heirloom, handed down from mother to daughter for four generations..."
As she waits with her mother in "the fish tank," a holding room, suspense rises by the minute. People are still getting removed, they won't make it to freedom. When Matilda and her mother are finally about to leave, one of the guards notices the doll... (no spoilers from this reviewer)
Remember, the clue was in the opening of the story! Things are never obvious.
It's another "strong woman"-story, only this time is a girl.
LOVED this book. A must-read for Floridians, Cubans, women, history buffs, and lovers of good books.
5*****
Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger
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