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"I didn't always understand the logic of fields and migrating birds, but I wanted to belong to all of it, even if it wasn't my birthplace. I wanted to belong."
In this eloquent moment of contemplation in Mariana Romo-Carmona's new novel, we find the kernel of the story; belonging. The character of Erica Garcia works in a ward for the mentally retarded. It is there that she sees the way they are ostracized from the world and treated with little dignity. When decides to make their world better, somehow, she feels her own world improving.
But, this book is about more than misfortune and loneliness. It is about romance, and the life of one Puerto Rican lesbian trying to find her way in the world like everyone else. In the midst of the poignant struggle is also laughter. In the opening of the book, we see that Erica has been told her birthday party will coincide with a Halloween party for the local gang. Frustrated over this slight, (her birthday is just before Halloween) she tells the reader what she thinks :
"For me, there was no direct relationship between Halloween and being gay, but to Millie and for the few friends we could claim... we were practically a coven."
Few writers can capture the fun, tenderness and romantic feel of a moment in
bed with a lover, few can get such eloquence of language on the page. But Carmona
is a poet as well as a novelist and the wonderful craft of her poetic skill
comes through in this novel. The way she weaves the hurt and happiness together
so that we get full, living characters makes this book such a wonderful read.
