Fajardo-Anstine, Kali. Sabrina & Corina. One World, 2019. ISBN 9780525511304
Plot
The author writes 11 short stories based in Colorado. Stories of young girls in a tug of war with their mothers, and how they are learning from them yet trying to be their own, with mothers often mired in bitterness and hopelessness in some cases, while in other stories, they are supportive in their way guiding daughters to get moving, acting on their passions. Place is it's own character and what also weaves together the characters of this book. Often not related but connected by place and the beauty of their soul in midst of life changing events, that are heart wrenching to read about.
Critical Evaluation
Issues of addiction recovery, domestic violence, sex work, and missing women of color. The stories are mostly not woven together but there is a sense that they may know one another. There is a recurring feeling of sadness weaving through the short stories. The characters hold depth, they are believable and although as a reader we may want to have "happily ever after" there is an understanding life is full of moments that can test the strength of the human spirit.
Is is book about hard truths, at times not easily digestible. It's one of those books when people needs content warning this one is full of them. It may be difficult to read if person is going through a hard time since we can be wired to look for glimmers of hope and a story of struggle followed by struggle, there's not a lot of opportunity to get that. Nevertheless, it is stories full of belief, yearning, keeping on keeping on despite the adversity confronted. Many symbols, rooted in place and history and optimism with a groundedness in the reality that life can throw painful experiences every which way in the lives of the characters.
Reader's Annotation
Stories of Latin characters of indigenous descent in Colorado, dealing with difficult life subjects such as abuse, mother/daughter fraught relationships, and finding their way.
Author Information
Kali Fajardo-Anstine is the author of the widely acclaimed Sabrina & Corina (One World, 2019), a finalist for the National Book Award, the PEN/Bingham Prize, The Clark Prize, The Story Prize, the Saroyan International Prize and winner of an American Book Award. She is the 2021 recipient of the Addison M. Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. She is the 2022/23 Endowed Chair of Creative Writing at Texas State University. Her debut novel, Woman of Light, will be published in June, 2022.
Fajardo-Anstine has been a fellow at Yaddo (2017, 2021), MacDowell (2018, 2021), Hedgebrook, and Tin House. Her work has been honored with the Denver Mayor’s Award for Global Impact in the Arts, and the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association Reading The West Award. Sabrina & Corina was included on several end of year lists, including the American Library Association and the New York Public Library.
Source: https://www.kalifajardoanstine.com/sabrina-corina
Genre
Short Stories: Contemporary
BookTalking Ideas
In Cheesman Park story when daughter feels lonely often and moment her mother tells her once she's older, "Make sure you find something go co, something to be proud of, You've got to stop thinkin about it."
Reading Level/Age Interest
15+
Challenge Issues
Since it's for older teens I don't see this book being challenged. There is content on sexual abuse, mental health issues, racism. If a young person younger than 18 gets their hands on the book I will defend with Library Bill of Rights and Los Angeles County Library Collections Policy.
Why I Included This Book in Collections
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