Guatemalan Rhapsody - by Jared Lemus (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Winner of the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize

A vibrant debut story collection--poignant, unflinching, and immersive--masterfully moving between sharp wit and profound tenderness, Guatemalan Rhapsody offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of an ever-changing country, the people who claim it as home, and those who no longer do

Ranging from a custodian at an underfunded college to a medicine man living in a temple dedicated to San Simon, the patron saint of alcohol and cigarettes, the characters in these stories find themselves at defining moments in their lives, where sacrifices may be required of them, by them, or for them.

In "Saint Dismas," four orphaned brothers pose as part of a construction crew, stopping cars along the highway and robbing anyone foolish enough to hit the brakes. In "Heart Sleeves," two wannabe tattoo artists take part in a contest, where one of them hopes to win not only first place but also the heart of his best friend's girlfriend. And, in "Fight Sounds," a character who fancies himself a Don Juan is swept up in the commotion of an American film crew shooting a movie in his tiny town, until the economic and sexual politics of the place are turned on their head.

Across this collection, Lemus's characters test their loyalty to family, community, and country, illuminating the ties that both connect us and constrain us. Guatemalan Rhapsody explores how we journey from the circumstances that we are forged by, and whether the ability to change our fortunes lies in our own hands or in those of another. Revealing the places where beauty, desperation, love, violence, and hope exist simultaneously, Jared Lemus's debut establishes him as a major new voice in the form.

Review Quotes

"Set between the United States and Guatemala, the stories in Lemus' excellent debut capture the extremes of ordinary life: the darkness and the light, our follies and our unrelenting desire to continue living. The characters in this book are like the stories themselves: knotty, morally complex, gritty, and full of life. So rarely are Central Americans portrayed so thoughtfully, with both love and clear-sightedness, and what a gift it is to read. Deeply felt and painfully human, Guatemalan Rhapsody shines." - Ruben Reyes Jr., author of There is a Rio Grande in Heaven and Archive of Unknown Universes

"Whether writing about resisting the insipid pull of American culture, about displaced people running from organized crime, or about the often deep connection its people have to the natural world, Jared Lemus's much-anticipated debut story collection, Guatemalan Rhapsody, shows readers the lives of Guatemalans in ways seldom seen before...poignant." - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Fresh but timeless. Lemus writes about place - both America and Guatemala - with precision and care. He writes with utter compassion. Reading this collection was an absolute delight." - Debutiful

"Assured...These clear-eyed stories ache with life." - Publishers Weekly

"...Beautifully bleak...inventive...[The stories] offer welcome glimmers of hope." - Booklist (starred review)

"Jared's kaleidoscopic debut is a glimpse into Guatemala through stories that hit deep emotional notes. Heavy in some places, buoyant in others, Lemus' writing is never without tenderness, even in the most gutting moments. The characters throughout leap off the page, challenging our emotions at every turn, while illuminating everyday struggles through a powerful lens. This captivating short story collection will leave you feeling all the feels. It's not to be missed." - Cebo Campbell, author of Sky Full of Elephants

"In this stunning collection, characters search for love, salvation, and survival in an ever-shifting landscape. With the heart, scrappiness and sense of humor that can only come from a Chapín, Jared Lemus maps out the glory and anguish of Guatemala." - Melissa Lozada-Oliva, author of Dreaming of You and Candelaria

"Guatemalan Rhapsody is a dazzling collection of stories about dreamers, outlaws, holy men, and at least one waterfall tender. Jared Lemus is a young writer whose literary territory feels as expansive as his talent." - Jess Walter, author of The Angel of Rome and Beautiful Ruins

"Hurrah for Jared Lemus and the world of Guatemalan Rhapsody! These twelve stories absolutely vibrate with life even as the characters that inhabit them struggle and strive to make it through theirs." - Cristina Henríquez, author of The Great Divide and The Book of Unknown Americans

"In Guatemalan Rhapsody, Jared Lemus has tapped into his roots, his soul, his artistry. Whether unfolding in the United States or in Guatemala, the physical location of these stories doesn't matter as much as their characters--distinctly Central American, distinctly Guatemalan--and their voices matter. Through these characters, we learn how to be human. Lemus is a voice to watch. I'm honored to share this literary life alongside him." - Javier Zamora, author of Solito