There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven: Stories by Ruben Reyes Jr.

There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven is an electrifying debut story collection by Ruben Reyes Jr., exploring Central American identity through imaginative and surreal narratives that blur the lines between past, present, and future. This captivating collection weaves together strange and dreamlike worlds, reflecting on the profound dislocation that occurs when one's life becomes unrecognizable.

In these stories, an ordinary man awakens to find himself a celebrated reggaetn star, an aging abuela slowly transforms into a marionette puppet, and a struggling academic discovers the nightmarish cost of becoming a Self-Made Man. Each tale delves into the unsettling effects of menacing technology and intrusive bureaucracy, presenting characters—ranging from mango farmers to pop stars, ex-guerilla fighters to cyborgs—facing life-altering choices that challenge their existence and voice in a world determined to silence them.

Reyes Jr.'s collection is infused with heart, humor, and a unique stylistic flair that subverts conventional narratives about migration and identity. It captures the essence of taking on a new life, whether by choice or force, with a piercing and brilliant clarity. Through his inventive storytelling, Reyes not only transports readers to otherworldly realms but also sheds light on the heartache and injustices of our own reality.

Praised for its ability to make readers ponder long after the final page, There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven stands as a powerful commentary on migration and the quest for voice in an often silencing world. ❤️📚❤️