La Reina Tuerta

It was immediately apparent why this book is a classic and how it captures the heart of most. I knew that I was not going to get entirely captured by the language style, as the absurdity and deliberate games felt false to me. I wonder if my overly exercised foreign language muscle is the cause or perhaps my very under-exercised absurd humor and science fiction muscles. Still the commentary on the absurdity of the human experience and our extremely self-centered points of view sit well with me. It may have even influenced the easy name for this blog, to not take myself too seriously, to remember the sheer number of things I don’t know or understand, even as I actively partake in dedicated efforts to try and know them. At the dog park, I catch myself enthusiastically participating with the other dog parents discussing the behavior of dogs. Every now and again I catch myself reminding the group that, if dogs begin their interactions with nose to butt, then as well as we think we may be do...

I thought I could read a few chapters, just enough to grab my interest, while I ate breakfast. I finished the book the same day and remembered why I stopped reading fiction for pleasure. It’s like suffering from an addiction. The characters drew me in. The pacing of the language was a pleasure. Very quickly I was surprised at how emotionally attached to the characters I was and how relatable I found their experiences, long before the book began touching on the heavier race, socioeconomic status and gender themes in the book. I was grateful that by the end Aunt Alexandra was given redeeming qualities and touching signs of humanity, as well as realizing that the primary slur thrown against the family is one the family had worn with pride for generations. How am I not being brave where I should be? What do I see in our culture today that I want to stand against quietly through my behavior? Where can I live as an example for others? May my loved ones be as proud of me as these children lea...