ITZÁ by Rios
de la Luz is and episodic, dreamlike story of a family of water witches living
in a border town that covers heavy the subjects of race, gender,
sexuality, and trauma with a truth that can’t be denied and a beauty that can’t
be resisted. This one immediately grabbed hold of my heart, and still hasn’t
quite let go.
Told from
the perspective of Marisol, it reads more like poetry than prose, and often
leans into the surreal while hitting issues that are painfully real, and
balances both aspects flawlessly. The woman and girls in this story are like
forces of nature, full of power and magic in a world that is constantly trying
to steal it from them. The grandmother and great grandmother are both deeply
human, while feeling more than human, and Marisol’s relationship with her
younger sister Araceli is particularly sweet as they navigate coming of age
together. Even Aunt Lucia who only makes a brief appearance feels incredibly
special and leaves a mighty impression.
As much as ITZÁ is a beautiful read, it isn't an easy read. It is a deeply personal exploration of trauma, surviving, and reclamation that at times made my eyes sting and heart ache. The honesty is almost too much to bear, but it's an honesty that needs to be told and needs to be heard and needs to be felt. I wanted to cry for Marisol, I wanted to give her a hug, and wanted to tell her I'm proud of her. While there is a variety of things that can make me enjoy a story, I'm ultimately an emotional reader, and ITZÁ tapped into that in the most perfect way.
I am a white
woman from Wyoming, this story is not for me, there are aspects of the story I will
never truly comprehend, and there are nuances I’ve surely missed, but I do know
that every page of this book was infused with magic and strength. These are the
stories we need more of, and Rios de la Luz has a voice that you need to listen to.
Comments
Post a Comment