The Storyteller's Death: A Novel
International Latino Book Award Gold Medal Winner!
"A beautiful book about family, memories, and the power of stories." --BuzzFeed
"Mystical, masterful storytelling." --Ms. Magazine
A gorgeously written family saga about a Puerto Rican woman who finds herself gifted (or cursed?) with a strange ability.
There was always an old woman dying in the back room of her family's house when Isla was a child...
Isla Larsen Sanchez's life begins to unravel when her father passes away. Instead of being comforted at home in New Jersey, her mother starts leaving her in Puerto Rico with her grandmother and great-aunt each summer like a piece of forgotten luggage.
When Isla turns eighteen, her grandmother, a great storyteller, dies. It is then that Isla discovers she has a gift passed down through her family's cuentistas. The tales of dead family storytellers are brought back to life, replaying themselves over and over in front of her.
At first, Isla is enchanted by this connection to the Sanchez cuentistas. But when Isla has a vision of an old murder mystery, she realizes that if she can't solve it to make the loop end, these seemingly harmless stories could cost Isla her life.
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Community Reviews
One of the most unique books I have read. I truly found the depth of lore and legend and how it was painted so realistic and raw with the visions and paranormal elements.
I also found the precious moments of one gift passed down to another via generation. This element is what will stick with me long after finishing the book. Something I know Cardinal has picked up from her family, that thread that keeps us all unified in a more magical way than DNA. I hold that dear.
The only problem was the pacing, this was a perfect book to pace it quicker because there is a big element of mystery and uncovering truths. Because of my personal issues with the pacing I had to put the book down and do other things then come back to it, it wasn't until the last 30% of the book that the pace became more developed, and quicker than before. Which led to big developments and bigger truths being revealed and made the previous parts of the book make more sense.
Because it all wove together so lovely towards the end, I found redemption in the slow pace of the book.
I truly think this is the perfect example of magical realism and generational lore being used to tell a story of deep representation.
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