(no subject)
Been a while since I posted about writing, or did anything of merit on here, really, but I was surfing today and came across some reviews for GUD Issue 2, in which my story "El Alebrije" appears -- here they are for you, for better or worse:
El Alebrije D. Richard Pearce
(Story) In this tale we have a mildly melancholy story of a modern witch and her unusual familiar. For me it is somewhat curvy, with the symbolism taking the reader into the life of a woman coming to grips with life. The blend of cultures ads to the tone, whereas it could easily have overpowered it. 4 of 5 doubloons. ( Will's Asylum of In(S)anity)
‘El Alebrije’ by D. Richard Pearce. An American émigré named Natalie has taken up residence in a small Mexican village. Her constant companion is el alebrije, a bird-sized creature that appears differently to each onlooker, which appears to feed on expression and emotion. The story has a great sense of place that grounds its thematic concerns: the interaction between culture and self, outsiders, foreignness, change, and their explication in dream and nightmare are all explored through Natalie, who ultimately is afraid of letting herself be. ‘El Alebrije’ is a wonderful story and a great way to start the magazine. (ShortFic Review: Greatest Uncommon Denominator)
“El Alebrije” by D. Richard Pearce is partly narrated by a magically animated, rather mischievous ceramic butterfly-Alebrije-which flits about San José assisting its maker or “mother,” Natalie, a self-exiled American artist and self-educated bruja with Native roots.
Alibrije feeds on “dreams and nightmares”-for example, the rich visions contained in the paintings of a local artist. But if Alebrije might seem a more benign and rather cute version of the slake moths from China Miéville’s Perdido Street Station, the creature shows a darker side when it puts the frighteners on a bigoted turista who angers Natalie.
The story is occasionally marred by stilted dialogue delivered by a close to standard-issue wise old codger speaking in proverbs. But he also has some sensible things to say when he tells Natalie that everyone “should be proud and fiercely protect their heritage, and whether is by birth or by choice is no import.” Identity and choice, exile and home emerge as the themes of this promising start to the issue. (The Fix-Online)
The magazine opens with a somewhat whimsical tale El Alebrije by D. Richard Pearce. Being half a world away from Mexico, and not being gifted in Spanish, it felt as if at times the tale weaved around me. But this, in a way, was not an unpleasant experience. El Alebrije felt ‘butterflyish’, and my guess is that’s the effect Pearce is aiming for. Subsequent research reveals Alebrije are Mexican folk art of fantastical animal like creatures (link here ). Who says one can learn nothing from small press magazines? Created with evocative language that swirls like the Alebrije itself, this tale is a strong opening to GUD. (Whispers)
Some of the short stories stretch the imagination and bring it back to a concluding relief, such as “El Alejibre” by D. Richard Pearce. This story is a harmless trip into magical realism and self-reflection, and includes animated skeleton dolls and a shape-shifting cat. The characters are boldly drawn and the environment described in delightfully peculiar detail. It leaves the reader with a feeling of incredulous amusement. (Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene)
GUD #2 still avaialble!
El Alebrije D. Richard Pearce
(Story) In this tale we have a mildly melancholy story of a modern witch and her unusual familiar. For me it is somewhat curvy, with the symbolism taking the reader into the life of a woman coming to grips with life. The blend of cultures ads to the tone, whereas it could easily have overpowered it. 4 of 5 doubloons. ( Will's Asylum of In(S)anity)
‘El Alebrije’ by D. Richard Pearce. An American émigré named Natalie has taken up residence in a small Mexican village. Her constant companion is el alebrije, a bird-sized creature that appears differently to each onlooker, which appears to feed on expression and emotion. The story has a great sense of place that grounds its thematic concerns: the interaction between culture and self, outsiders, foreignness, change, and their explication in dream and nightmare are all explored through Natalie, who ultimately is afraid of letting herself be. ‘El Alebrije’ is a wonderful story and a great way to start the magazine. (ShortFic Review: Greatest Uncommon Denominator)
“El Alebrije” by D. Richard Pearce is partly narrated by a magically animated, rather mischievous ceramic butterfly-Alebrije-which flits about San José assisting its maker or “mother,” Natalie, a self-exiled American artist and self-educated bruja with Native roots.
Alibrije feeds on “dreams and nightmares”-for example, the rich visions contained in the paintings of a local artist. But if Alebrije might seem a more benign and rather cute version of the slake moths from China Miéville’s Perdido Street Station, the creature shows a darker side when it puts the frighteners on a bigoted turista who angers Natalie.
The story is occasionally marred by stilted dialogue delivered by a close to standard-issue wise old codger speaking in proverbs. But he also has some sensible things to say when he tells Natalie that everyone “should be proud and fiercely protect their heritage, and whether is by birth or by choice is no import.” Identity and choice, exile and home emerge as the themes of this promising start to the issue. (The Fix-Online)
The magazine opens with a somewhat whimsical tale El Alebrije by D. Richard Pearce. Being half a world away from Mexico, and not being gifted in Spanish, it felt as if at times the tale weaved around me. But this, in a way, was not an unpleasant experience. El Alebrije felt ‘butterflyish’, and my guess is that’s the effect Pearce is aiming for. Subsequent research reveals Alebrije are Mexican folk art of fantastical animal like creatures (link here ). Who says one can learn nothing from small press magazines? Created with evocative language that swirls like the Alebrije itself, this tale is a strong opening to GUD. (Whispers)
Some of the short stories stretch the imagination and bring it back to a concluding relief, such as “El Alejibre” by D. Richard Pearce. This story is a harmless trip into magical realism and self-reflection, and includes animated skeleton dolls and a shape-shifting cat. The characters are boldly drawn and the environment described in delightfully peculiar detail. It leaves the reader with a feeling of incredulous amusement. (Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene)
GUD #2 still avaialble!