On Heroes, Lizards and Passion

by Zoila Ellis

Seven short stories vividly depicting different facets of Belize s reality. From the country s rural areas to New York City, we accompany Belizean women and men as they go through the joys and hardships of life. Zoila Ellis demonstrates a refined ability to perceive and reproduce situations and characters, heightening the emotional impact of everyday events and rendering them into fine literature. This book is also available in Spanish.

Genres: Short Stories, The World, Fiction, Contemporary, 20th Century

154 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1991

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, even though it is fiction/folklore, really speaks the Belizean culture. I feel like if I want my friends/family to understand Belize reading this book is the best way.

[Maybe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

[Rhoda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my read the world selection for Belize.

This was a collection of short stories, but I would call them more like little snapshots of life in Belize. To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of short stories, as I often feel like it takes a little while to get into the ‘groove’ of a story and then it’s finished!

These were enjoyable enough stories that gave the reader some idea of Belizean culture, but none really stood out as being exceptional or must read stories.

The last story about the ‘hero’ was probably the best one and was quite humorous, but overall the book was just ok. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through these short stories Ellis manages to give the reader an idea of the worldview and lived experience of Belizeans. Her stories, ranging the gamut from realist day-in-the-life to magic realism of talking lizards, shows the unfamiliar reader the expectations, desires and setbacks of some of the inhabitants of this small country. She picks her protagonists in such a way that she can show the diversity present in any large groups of people while also highlighting the way their concerns and desires might differ from those who did not grow up among them. Definitely an interesting and worthwhile read.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belize

"Here I learn what it is to live properly."

"The time when you feel fear in your own neighborhood is the time to move."

"It was not the sort of thing one questioned."

"There are waiting rooms everywhere - at hospitals reeking of disinfectant and cold mentholated smell of sickness: at prisons stinking of urine, sweat and human despair; at government offices humid with thee thick moisture of bureaucratic boredom punctuated by the click click of typewriters and chewing gum; at police stations; everywhere. And then there is this one."

[Avani Ghosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this so much! It’s just a collection of short stories that are little snapshots of different people’s lives in Belize with some fables and folklore mixed in.

I think this collection is really charming, but none of them are individually striking, which is fine. The writing is so elegant and all of her characters are so alive and well-developed and I found it quite refreshing. It also balances its fun and silliness with social commentary on prejudices and the societal structure really well.

6/10 cute and I had a good time

[DesertSlug · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for my reading-of-the-world project (Belize). It is a collection of short stories all by the same author. Normally, I find short story books difficult to rate because they can be uneven. But this book I think the stories are basically three star across the board. Nothing stood out to me as particularly excellent or awful. Although, honestly, I think my favorite thing about it is the title. It's a solid book for reading-of-the-world, but I am not sure I would recommend it everyone.

[Katie Tolentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each short story provided a glimpse at the diversity of life and perspectives found within this little country. I enjoyed that the author showed the people of Belize, whether or not their stories all took place in Belize. Each story uncovered a sense of discovering another facet of the country’s people, their hardships, and their hopes and joys.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet book of stories from and about life in Belize. Some are unusual (e.g. the story about the lizard and his lizard friends), some are gently amusing; some are unsettling. But the collection definitely offers a great taste of the local culture and people.

[Ang]

Belize

[María Requena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me han gustado mucho estos relatos amenos, a veces divertidos y seguramente muy representativos de la realidad de los beliceños.
Merece mucho la pena leerlos y conocer otras perspectivas del mundo.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Krista Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Country: Belize

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories from Belize that will leave you wanting more

[Ofelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every story with all my heart. I wanted more!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a little bit generous to call these short stories, as stories generally contain some sort of narrative arc, with a climax or reveal. That doesn't mean they're bad, but it makes sense that these seven are grouped together, as none of them would really stand alone. Although there's no connection between the stories, each one is a snapshot of Belizean life, whether from the perspective of a Belizean immigrant in New York City or from the imagined point of view of the lizards who live out in the countryside. The writing was a bit weak, and the editing was atrocious, but it was an interesting read overall.

[Annamari Laaksonen · Rating 3 out of 5]

On Heroes, Lizards and Passion is a collection of short stories. Seven stories set mostly in Belize, it is light reading, providing snapshots of Belizean culture and people. The stories do not take themselves too seriously, especially a bizarre story about a lizard and lizard friends. It is a Belizean literature snack, light and entertaining enough. For me it does not reach the depths of the iconic Belizean book Beka Lamb, but that is not its intention.

I read this book as part of our project Virtual Nomad that explores and celebrates food, writing, cinema and music from different countries. www.myvirtualnomad.com

[Indira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belize.
Pardon my geographical knowledge..but I didn't know that a country named Belize existed. So these short stories were a nice insight into the Belizean culture. Rather than short stories, I would call them glimpses of Belizean life. It is not the usual sort of fictional short stories you find. A good observer's honest account of her people and country. The edit was not perfect - but overall it is an interesting work which one can appreciate.

[Karen Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chosen for the "Read Around the World" challenge: BELIZE. The 7 short stories in this short book gave insights into the culture and speaking patterns of Belize. I especially enjoyed “The Waiting Room,” which shows the universal tension, nervousness, and boredom of any waiting room (it took me back to my last DMV appointment in the U.S., for example - always a memorable experience).

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories sharing the flavor and passion of Belize. Once started I didn't want to put it down. I particularly liked the story of Horatio the lizard of Grapefruit St. solving the mystery of an unfamiliar loud noise . . .

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

nicely written stories, still feel like a first jaunt though. nice foray into lives of Belizeans.

[Val]

Belize