In masterful tales of coming of age and becoming marginalized during the Cuban Revolution and its aftermath, Pablo La Rosa nostalgically looks back at a childhood spent by the seaside and creates a mosaic of poignant experiences seen through the glaring lens of race and exile. Neither the advantages of race or education, however, can exempt the disoriented protagonist from their perceived loss of homeland, integrity, identity. In the masterful ñEl Marielito,î La Rosa captures the bewilderment of a black man, marginalized by his race and circumstances in pre and post revolutionary Cuba and during his exile in the United States. Equally on the margin in spite of the advantages of education and race, a Cuban college student can relate only to a Russian janitor; though they share no common language they wordlessly share a longing for their lost homelands. La Rosa exhibits a penchant for the whimsical and experimental in homage to Latin American masters Jose Donoso, Carlos Fuentes, and Julio Cortàzar. His stylistic journey takes us from the magically real to psychological suspense and adventure. La RosaÍs masterful pen captivates our imagination and projects the reader into the souls of his characters.

First Published in 1998. This volume will surely be regarded as the standard guide to Russian literature for some considerable time to come... It is therefore confidently recommended for addition to reference libraries, be they academic or public.

D. Jayakanthan’s short stories depict the life of common people in Tamil Nadu in the middle of the 20th century and reflect his progressive thinking. Selected and translated by the author’s daughter, these stories sensitively explore situations in the lives of both the marginalized and the middle class and comprise some of the best of his writing. Each story in this collection delves into the depths of the human psyche, revealing the hidden strengths ordinary people find within themselves when faced with extraordinary circumstances. Portraying courage, vulnerability and humanity in its many dimensions, the Heroine and Other Stories reminds us of the richness of our regional literatures, presents highlights from the oeuvre of a master storyteller and holds up a mirror to ourselves.

Overview coming soon