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Brownsville: Stories
"Terrific stories...Just about perfect" ( Entertainment Weekly ): Brownsville is the collection that established Oscar Casares as one of the leading voices in the literature of the modern Southwest.
At the country's edge, on the Mexican border, Brownsville, Texas, is a town like many others. It is a place where people work hard to create better lives for their children, where people bear grudges against their neighbors, where love blossoms only to fade, and where the only real certainty is that life holds surprises.
In his sparkling debut, Oscar Casares creates a cast of unforgettable characters confronting everyday possibilities and Diego, an eleven-year-old whose job at a fireworks stand teaches him a lesson in defiance; Bony, a young man whose discovery of a monkey's head on his lawn drives a wedge between him and his parents; Lola, whose stolen bowling ball offers an unlikely chance for change. The achievement of Brownsville lies in its remarkably honest portrayal of these lives -- the lives of people whose dreams and yearnings and regrets are at once unique and universal.
"Marvelous... Brownsville resembles early Steinbeck work more than anything else." --Carolyn See, Washington Post
At the country's edge, on the Mexican border, Brownsville, Texas, is a town like many others. It is a place where people work hard to create better lives for their children, where people bear grudges against their neighbors, where love blossoms only to fade, and where the only real certainty is that life holds surprises.
In his sparkling debut, Oscar Casares creates a cast of unforgettable characters confronting everyday possibilities and Diego, an eleven-year-old whose job at a fireworks stand teaches him a lesson in defiance; Bony, a young man whose discovery of a monkey's head on his lawn drives a wedge between him and his parents; Lola, whose stolen bowling ball offers an unlikely chance for change. The achievement of Brownsville lies in its remarkably honest portrayal of these lives -- the lives of people whose dreams and yearnings and regrets are at once unique and universal.
"Marvelous... Brownsville resembles early Steinbeck work more than anything else." --Carolyn See, Washington Post
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2003
38 people are currently reading
763 people want to read
About the author
Oscar Cásares
7 books96 followersOscar Cásares is the author of Brownsville, a collection of stories that was an American Library Association Notable Book of 2004, and is now included in the curriculum at several American universities, and the novel Amigoland. He is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Copernicus Society of America, and the Texas Institute of Letters. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, he teaches creative writing at the University of Texas in Austin, where he lives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
August 3, 2018
Levar Burton Reads Podcast offering.
This was a good one. Should be called “How Mrs. Perez Got Her Groove Back”. REALLY liked it, though it ended kind of abruptly. 4 solid stars.
This was a good one. Should be called “How Mrs. Perez Got Her Groove Back”. REALLY liked it, though it ended kind of abruptly. 4 solid stars.
July 18, 2012
I lived in Brownsville for six months as a Mormon missionary, and loved the city and its people very much. I lived in Cameron Park, the poorest part of the city and one of the poorest areas of the country. There is a distinct feel to Brownsville and its people are proud of their identity. The author was born and raised there and, as a result, this book is largely an authentic portrayal of the people who live there.
One of the most endearing quality of the city (for me, probably not all) is the Tex-Mex dialect, a conglomeration of Spanish and English into a new language of sorts. Casares uses it nicely, which adds a humorous quality to these short stories. To me, it took me back again. To others, it will develop into its own confused vernacular. Though the written words lack the cadences of the language, the reader will still get an appreciation of it. In some ways, this is poetry.
In addition to portraying the city accurately via the language, Casares creates characters that seem authentic too. Other reviewers of the book have said there's a gentleness to the stories, even an underlying sadness. I agree. In short, the stories seem real, as trite as that sounds. The stories have building actions and climaxes like longer novels, but never do they betray their characters and assume Hollywood-style cop-out endings. The stories are like real life, full of plot points that are far from spectacular or amazing, but characters who live out those plots in their own ways.
My favorite stories involve the ne'er-do-well son-of-respected-community-leader Bony (who finds a monkey head on his front lawn and believes over time that the head is his best friend) and Jesse (who has to come to terms with the fact his young son is smarter than he is).
One of the most endearing quality of the city (for me, probably not all) is the Tex-Mex dialect, a conglomeration of Spanish and English into a new language of sorts. Casares uses it nicely, which adds a humorous quality to these short stories. To me, it took me back again. To others, it will develop into its own confused vernacular. Though the written words lack the cadences of the language, the reader will still get an appreciation of it. In some ways, this is poetry.
In addition to portraying the city accurately via the language, Casares creates characters that seem authentic too. Other reviewers of the book have said there's a gentleness to the stories, even an underlying sadness. I agree. In short, the stories seem real, as trite as that sounds. The stories have building actions and climaxes like longer novels, but never do they betray their characters and assume Hollywood-style cop-out endings. The stories are like real life, full of plot points that are far from spectacular or amazing, but characters who live out those plots in their own ways.
My favorite stories involve the ne'er-do-well son-of-respected-community-leader Bony (who finds a monkey head on his front lawn and believes over time that the head is his best friend) and Jesse (who has to come to terms with the fact his young son is smarter than he is).
July 23, 2008
I got tired of reading Chicano literature years ago because all the books seemed to be about identity and not much else. A few titles got a lot of attention but were not well written. This is the book that changed my attitude.
Every story is well crafted. He captures the sense of place without have a chip on his shoulder or writing in a way to exclude readers who are not from his culture. He really made me think about the way people are unable to voice their greatest fears and desires and so make a mess of their lives and the lives of others. A glossary would have made his book more accessible to a wider audience. I can hardly wait until his allegedly forthcoming novel is published.
Every story is well crafted. He captures the sense of place without have a chip on his shoulder or writing in a way to exclude readers who are not from his culture. He really made me think about the way people are unable to voice their greatest fears and desires and so make a mess of their lives and the lives of others. A glossary would have made his book more accessible to a wider audience. I can hardly wait until his allegedly forthcoming novel is published.
June 13, 2019
"Mrs. Perez" was a short story was about Lola Perez, a 68 year old widow who lives in Brownsville, Texas near the Mexican border. Mrs. Perez put her husband and daughters first for many years, and it is only now that she is widowed that she has developed a passion for bowling. She is quite good at it and takes pride in the trophies she has won, so she takes it hard when her prized bowling bowl is stolen from her home. The quote "she wore the nervous smile of a young woman who realizes she has just boarded the wrong train" about a memory Lola has while looking at a picture of her honeymoon, was beautifully descriptive in this slice-of-life story. What Mrs. Perez does at the end of the story when she sees the thief, shows that you shouldn't underestimate quiet women. This was episode 16 from the podcast LeVar Burton Reads.
July 9, 2023
What a great collection of stories. These vignettes could be in any town with a significant Mexican American population. The characters were authentic and I recognized a few not from Brownsville but from Colorado/New Mexico. An array of emotions with these stories but mostly funny and bittersweet.
March 24, 2023
Read for Texas Literature! These stories are so well written & capture snippets of the human experience so well! It’s been a while since I’ve hated characters as much as I did some of the ones in these stories lol. While each story hit different, there were a few that I couldn’t stop thinking about hours after I had put the book down!
May 23, 2025
there’s so much tenderness in these stories—all of his characters are so complex and deeply human. it’s such a joy to read stories set in texas
May 15, 2024
Written by Oscar Cásares, Brownsville: Stories is a collection of well-crafted short stories about everyday life along the US-Mexico border. Written over 20 years ago, these vignettes still feel fresh today.
March 29, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this book. Oscar Casares did a wonderful job using Brownsville, Texas as the setting, yet writing stories that relate to all races and all people, rather than just Mexican-Americans. I like how Casares made the stories shorter than expected because that allows the reader to really engage with each particular story by having to think about what has happened rather than the author completing the story for you. Overall, this is an amazing book!
February 9, 2018
This story was read on one of LeVar Burton‘s podcasts and it’s one of the best ❤️❤️❤️ mrs. Perez reminds me of my grandmother, she had a hard life and found enjoyment with Bingo like Mrs. Perez did with bowling, during their last chapter in life. I was so happy with the ending of the story. My only disappointment is that there weren’t more pages to read.
June 6, 2021
4.5 stars.
Beautifully observed, unflinching, funny and tender. This is a genuinely engaging collection of stories about people coping with insecurity, grief, loneliness and resentment along the US-Mexico border.
Beautifully observed, unflinching, funny and tender. This is a genuinely engaging collection of stories about people coping with insecurity, grief, loneliness and resentment along the US-Mexico border.
June 8, 2021
I've been reading about immigrants from the southern border and one of the complaints about the controversial book "American Dirt" was that is was not written by a Latino writer and the book promoted harmful stereotypes. I am trying very hard to read authentically and so I read this book to get an authentic viewpoint devoid of stereotypes. One problem I have with this whole concept of reading authentically is trying to determine what stereotypes I have of Mexican Americans. I guess I think the men often are unreasonably (like over-the-top) jealous because of their genetic Machismo. I often run into the stereotype of the males being unreasonably threatened and threatening...(only in my reading.. I don't know anybody!). And in reading these stories, which are often humorous and touching I again see men who are crazy jealous and very threatening. So, I don't know. Trying very hard not to do the wrong thing here but it's not easy. About the actual book: I liked some stories and the last one was my favorite. I'll definitely read his novel "Amigoland"
January 12, 2022
I loved this book. It was very nostalgic for me, and it perfectly captures the voice, life, and struggles of people who are raised and live in Brownsville (and other cities in the RGV). The book is written in Spanglish, which makes it a bit inaccessible for folks who don't know any Spanish. It was maybe too short and simple - I wish the stories were more complex and had character growth. Also, it had so much machismo that it HURT.
March 25, 2019
This book was my first experience with short stories — simple, elegant, and so so enjoyable. I love Caseres’ writing and plan to go read his novels, I feel like I am apart of a town I’ve never been to simply by getting a glimpse into simple lives! I also enjoyed that nearly all the stories were left in the middle, you’re apart of them not reading from the outside. Amazing book ❤️
January 26, 2023
I loved reading all these stories set in South Texas. I never read literature set in that location and it was such a joy to see that place and people represented so truthfully. So many of these characters feel like my family, and the stories all hit home in different ways. I’ll be thinking about both Chango and Lola for a long while.
February 7, 2018
I like happy endings.
June 26, 2025
Super cool to read about this town through short stories. I felt like each character had a life that I really understood! Great descriptions.
November 19, 2024
beautiful auto-fiction / auto storytelling ? jaja i loved it and it was so beautiful to read stories of border town living in Brownsville that read similar to my Nogales living
February 16, 2023
I really enjoyed these stories set in South Texas. Hint: It helps to know a bit of Spanish.
February 11, 2018
What a cracking little story.
Senior Citizen Mrs Perez Is burgled and her stolen bowling ball is a symbol of hard won independence after being secondary to her husband’s whims and her daughter’s attempts to corral her in a pigeon hole of incapacity.
The ending brought a whoop of joy!
Senior Citizen Mrs Perez Is burgled and her stolen bowling ball is a symbol of hard won independence after being secondary to her husband’s whims and her daughter’s attempts to corral her in a pigeon hole of incapacity.
The ending brought a whoop of joy!
Read
May 1, 2023Brownsville: Stories of Life On The Border
In the past few months, Brownsville, Texas has been a topic of discussion for many. This is due to the fact that Elon Musk has located the new SpaceX factory directly next to it. This has caused multiple issues for the local community, including but not limited to: endangerment of local wildlife, and raising rent prices while causing displacement of the local people that reside there.
Texas and Mexico have existed in an intertwined landscape, holding hands in cultural and societal identities. Twenty-five percent of Texans fluently speak Spanish1, and eighty-three percent of the Texas population is Mexican or Mexican descent2. In literature, rarely is border identity discussed; what it is like to grow up on the border, to be a Chicanx person in a world of diverging landscapes, and what it means to walk the line between two countries. Brownsville, written by the University of Texas at Austin professor Oscar Casares, explores a contemporary view of growing up on the border and everyday life in South Texas in short stories.
These short stories are written for any audience and are relatable to everyone struggling to find a cultural identity. With modern references to Texas' favorite burger joint, Whataburger, and the childhood experiences of shopping for fireworks (or perhaps working at a firework stand), Casares illustrates the simplicity and importance of everyday normalities in concurrence with finding oneself. As the book is written in a short story format, every story has varying characters and plotlines that tie the entirety together. Composed of nine short stories and three excerpts, Casares introduces us with a welcome mat and a cafe de leche into his vision of the borderlands.
The three excerpts are titled "I Thought You and Me Were Friends," composed of "Mr. Z," "RG," and "Chango," "They Say He Was Lost" with "Domingo," "Big Jesse, Little Jesse" and "Charro," and "Don't Believe Anything He Tells You" including "Jerry Fuentes," "Yolanda" and "Mrs. Perez." My favorite series story was "Mr. Z," in excerpt one.
In "Mr. Z," Casares elaborates on coming of age within Brownsville, with a young boy, Diego, experiences growing up and realizing life's obscurities and obstacles. Diego gets his first job at a firework stand and encounters his first experiences with difficult bosses, the concept of Machismo, and other confessions of growing up.
The concept of Machismo translated into a Mexican American perspective is illustrated in Brownsville. For those unfamiliar, the Machismo defined by Merriam-Webster is "a strong sense of masculine pride: an exaggerated masculinity” 3. This is typically a culturally attributed term and portrays the modern concept of "overcompensation," or over-showcasing masculinity essentially, to prove a sense of dominance and superiority. This is done in "Mr. Z," with the firework owner (Mr. Zamarripa) and Diego's father. Not surprisingly, it is because Mr. Zamarripa is attempting to establish Machismo over a woman.
The personal and beautifully descriptive experiences of the characters allured me the most. It sparked a sense of positivity in me as someone born and raised in Texas. Although I am not Mexican American, nor am I from the border, my close relationships with people who are have given me an idea of what it means to be from South Texas. Casares exemplifies this life beautifully. The storylines are very smooth flowing and allow the reader to understand what his thematic purpose is within the story. It is not a difficult read, and the mentions of present-day restaurants, cars, and other similar embellishments are incredibly comforting and relatable to those natively from Texas.
Another aspect of Brownsville that I truly enjoyed was his conversations with essential and widely overlooked socio-economic discussions. The lifestyle of working a blue-collar job and what doing so entails, the detail of what it means to be working long and grueling hours, and the idea of a traditional home. In many of his stories, the women are mothers and caretakers, while the father provides for the family and teaches his sons how to work and provide. In "Chango," the main character Bony is unemployed and vehemently forced by his father to apply for and find employment. Casares elaborates on what it means to grow up in a home that does follow these classical guidelines in a modern sense and how various characters navigate through what they want to do regarding work growing up in South Texas.
A critique I had regarding Brownsville did have to do with Casares' writing of women. The Machismos counterpart and discussion of femininity in his work could have come more smoothly. Writing women, especially as a man, is a difficult task and feat to do, especially if outlining personal experiences. However, throughout the book, it was necessary to research womanhood and motherhood more. The male characters were intense, and when it came to the female characters, it was a stark contrast as they were written to be extremely flat. In "Mr. Z," the woman (Diego's friend Ricky's mother) was written into the story solely for her looks and the development of the Machismo plotline. Although the collection was published in 2003, reading modern references while lacking modern ideas of womanhood felt wrong. Any reader would have appreciated more detailed craftsmanship of the female identity on the border.
Overall, I enjoyed Brownsville and thought that it was a refreshing read. It isn't easy to find books that can show the reader clear themes and outline personal experiences in an organized manner. It is also apparent to readers who may not relate to being from South Texas or Texas. Casares understands how to simplify his ideas on complex topics in a way intended to be understood by any reader of any age, race, or identity. I suggest the book Brownsville to anyone questioning their identity, regardless of whether or not they pay homage to a border town. When I started reading, I could not put the book down. The method in which Casares exemplifies the themes he is attempting to show is very grateful and absolutely magnificent; it truly does take the reader to the border.
In the past few months, Brownsville, Texas has been a topic of discussion for many. This is due to the fact that Elon Musk has located the new SpaceX factory directly next to it. This has caused multiple issues for the local community, including but not limited to: endangerment of local wildlife, and raising rent prices while causing displacement of the local people that reside there.
Texas and Mexico have existed in an intertwined landscape, holding hands in cultural and societal identities. Twenty-five percent of Texans fluently speak Spanish1, and eighty-three percent of the Texas population is Mexican or Mexican descent2. In literature, rarely is border identity discussed; what it is like to grow up on the border, to be a Chicanx person in a world of diverging landscapes, and what it means to walk the line between two countries. Brownsville, written by the University of Texas at Austin professor Oscar Casares, explores a contemporary view of growing up on the border and everyday life in South Texas in short stories.
These short stories are written for any audience and are relatable to everyone struggling to find a cultural identity. With modern references to Texas' favorite burger joint, Whataburger, and the childhood experiences of shopping for fireworks (or perhaps working at a firework stand), Casares illustrates the simplicity and importance of everyday normalities in concurrence with finding oneself. As the book is written in a short story format, every story has varying characters and plotlines that tie the entirety together. Composed of nine short stories and three excerpts, Casares introduces us with a welcome mat and a cafe de leche into his vision of the borderlands.
The three excerpts are titled "I Thought You and Me Were Friends," composed of "Mr. Z," "RG," and "Chango," "They Say He Was Lost" with "Domingo," "Big Jesse, Little Jesse" and "Charro," and "Don't Believe Anything He Tells You" including "Jerry Fuentes," "Yolanda" and "Mrs. Perez." My favorite series story was "Mr. Z," in excerpt one.
In "Mr. Z," Casares elaborates on coming of age within Brownsville, with a young boy, Diego, experiences growing up and realizing life's obscurities and obstacles. Diego gets his first job at a firework stand and encounters his first experiences with difficult bosses, the concept of Machismo, and other confessions of growing up.
The concept of Machismo translated into a Mexican American perspective is illustrated in Brownsville. For those unfamiliar, the Machismo defined by Merriam-Webster is "a strong sense of masculine pride: an exaggerated masculinity” 3. This is typically a culturally attributed term and portrays the modern concept of "overcompensation," or over-showcasing masculinity essentially, to prove a sense of dominance and superiority. This is done in "Mr. Z," with the firework owner (Mr. Zamarripa) and Diego's father. Not surprisingly, it is because Mr. Zamarripa is attempting to establish Machismo over a woman.
The personal and beautifully descriptive experiences of the characters allured me the most. It sparked a sense of positivity in me as someone born and raised in Texas. Although I am not Mexican American, nor am I from the border, my close relationships with people who are have given me an idea of what it means to be from South Texas. Casares exemplifies this life beautifully. The storylines are very smooth flowing and allow the reader to understand what his thematic purpose is within the story. It is not a difficult read, and the mentions of present-day restaurants, cars, and other similar embellishments are incredibly comforting and relatable to those natively from Texas.
Another aspect of Brownsville that I truly enjoyed was his conversations with essential and widely overlooked socio-economic discussions. The lifestyle of working a blue-collar job and what doing so entails, the detail of what it means to be working long and grueling hours, and the idea of a traditional home. In many of his stories, the women are mothers and caretakers, while the father provides for the family and teaches his sons how to work and provide. In "Chango," the main character Bony is unemployed and vehemently forced by his father to apply for and find employment. Casares elaborates on what it means to grow up in a home that does follow these classical guidelines in a modern sense and how various characters navigate through what they want to do regarding work growing up in South Texas.
A critique I had regarding Brownsville did have to do with Casares' writing of women. The Machismos counterpart and discussion of femininity in his work could have come more smoothly. Writing women, especially as a man, is a difficult task and feat to do, especially if outlining personal experiences. However, throughout the book, it was necessary to research womanhood and motherhood more. The male characters were intense, and when it came to the female characters, it was a stark contrast as they were written to be extremely flat. In "Mr. Z," the woman (Diego's friend Ricky's mother) was written into the story solely for her looks and the development of the Machismo plotline. Although the collection was published in 2003, reading modern references while lacking modern ideas of womanhood felt wrong. Any reader would have appreciated more detailed craftsmanship of the female identity on the border.
Overall, I enjoyed Brownsville and thought that it was a refreshing read. It isn't easy to find books that can show the reader clear themes and outline personal experiences in an organized manner. It is also apparent to readers who may not relate to being from South Texas or Texas. Casares understands how to simplify his ideas on complex topics in a way intended to be understood by any reader of any age, race, or identity. I suggest the book Brownsville to anyone questioning their identity, regardless of whether or not they pay homage to a border town. When I started reading, I could not put the book down. The method in which Casares exemplifies the themes he is attempting to show is very grateful and absolutely magnificent; it truly does take the reader to the border.
May 7, 2020
I picked this up at a library book sale first because of the title. My wife spent part of her earliest years as a resident of Brownsville so that caught my interest. I noticed a very complimentary blurb on the front cover in tiny letters by Tim Gautreaux, who is one of my favorite authors, comparing what Oscar Casares had done for Brownsville with what Eudora Welty did for Jackson, Mississippi. You don't get much better praise than that. Mr. Gautreaux was correct, these are all wonderful stories. Often in a collection of short stories I will find at least one that doesn't seem to measure up to the other stories or that I just don't care for at all. This is not the case with this collection. Every story can stand on its own and all are extraordinary but simply told. I am looking forward to reading Mr. Casares' novels in hopefully the near future. He has just joined the ranks of my new favorites.
August 16, 2009
This book has sat, sadly I believe, on my shelf since 2007. Worse I not only have this one but Casares’ subsequent first novel.
Brazos Bookstore is hosting Casares Tuesday night and I might go. If nothing else, this prompted me to pull this from my bookshelf yesterday and read it.
Brownsville is a book of stories that all take place in…no surprise here…Brownsville, a city in the most distant reaches of Texas, right next to the border with Mexico.
In every way, a satisfying book. If the stories have the feel of coming through the Creative Writing School Factory, so be it. Every story is well crafted and Brownsville is everywhere in these stories. Words in Spanish like salt in my stew, just enough to slow down my reading and reread now and then.
Brazos Bookstore is hosting Casares Tuesday night and I might go. If nothing else, this prompted me to pull this from my bookshelf yesterday and read it.
Brownsville is a book of stories that all take place in…no surprise here…Brownsville, a city in the most distant reaches of Texas, right next to the border with Mexico.
In every way, a satisfying book. If the stories have the feel of coming through the Creative Writing School Factory, so be it. Every story is well crafted and Brownsville is everywhere in these stories. Words in Spanish like salt in my stew, just enough to slow down my reading and reread now and then.
October 20, 2013
These stories kept me entertained and they were funny.
July 19, 2019
Brownsville is a brilliant collection of short fiction. Casares’ characters seem to live and breathe.
November 1, 2018
Brownsville starts with a tale of growing up with "Mr. Z." The first short story in the collection follows a young boy with his first job, working at a firework stand. The boy learns some hard lessons from a hard man. He learns that in the world of work and capitalism, there isn't much in terms of fairness and justice. This quickly leads him to subvert both capitalism and his hard, mean boss, Mr. Z. His youthful wonder of fireworks dissipates in the night sky of adulthood, leaving him feeling vengeful and old. The next story, "RG," shifts to a very adult concern of possession with a story surrounding a borrowed hammer, never returned until it is accidentally replaced by an inconsiderate and/or forgetful neighbor. It's a quirky story about the minor, trivial events in one's life being much more meaningful and monumental in another's. "Chango," story three in the collection, is the masterpiece here. It's a complex, moving piece on overcoming grief and depression at the loss of a deeply important friend. The protagonist Bony struggles to express his emotions and other fail to understand his troubles when his best friend Mando dies. The story shows, in a unique way, an effect of toxic masculinity or machismo. Bony cannot cry, much less over another man that he loved. In the world of men, there seems to be no room for depression or loving another male as a lifelong friend or grief. There is only room for beer or sex or finding work (to apparently lead to meaning). This results in a brief friendship between Bony and a severed monkey head until Bony, both literally and figuratively, lets go of it and his grief over Mando at the same time. Bony didn't want to, but there wasn't room in the macho world he exists within to continue as he was. (By the way, "Chango" is also quite funny, even if you ignore the absurdity of the story's entire premise.) "Domingo" is the next story and centers around the grief and isolation of an older man, struggling with events of his past and with how to overcome them. This story examines God and religion. Domingo cannot seem to fit into organized religion, so he then goes to nature. It is with nature that finally appears to give Domingo some relief and spiritual connection. "Big Jesse, Little Jesse" follows and shows a grown man struggling to mature and expand his idea of masculinity when his son is born with a slight deformity and an "effeminate" personality. After a fight that leads him to an arrest and the loss of a shoe that results in a limp mirroring his son's, Big Jesse seems to finally understand the world the Little Jesse lives in, hopefully leading him to maturation and becoming a more empathetic father. The next story, "Charro," focuses on a man's fixation on his neighbor's dog. This has parallels with the "RG" story involving two grown men's conflict. However, this time the absurd tale of attempted dog murder and accidental dog homicide leads to reveal the protagonists inner turmoil over his shortcomings as a man and father: he feels unable to live up to the standard he built up around his own father, feels unable to be as strong and sure in decisions and morals. "Jerry Fuentes" is the antagonist of the next short, a cousin and salesman that pushes the protagonist into confronting the guarantee of his own coming death. Then "Yolanda" tells a story of how a neighbor woman impacts a young boy's life and never really leaves his mind. In the story, the man uses his memories of Yolanda as a secret comfort and simultaneous regret when needed. The final story in the collection, "Mrs. Perez," stands alone with its female protagonist. It fits with the others as the men in the story are angry, emotionally stunted macho pricks. This shows a widow dealing with this as she tries to build a life with her bowling as a single older woman. Even after escaping her husband's controlling ways with his death, she finds joy and power in bowling until a young man ruins that by stealing her bowling ball. After this event shows her (and readers) that these toxic men are inescapable, Lola runs into a teenager she thinks is guilty of stealing her bowling ball. Lola takes the power back, but is forced to do so in a violent, and therefore stereotypically masculine, way by rolling her backup bowling ball into the young man as he reads a magazine in a convenience store. The ball connects, but readers are left to imagine the fallout for themselves. All in all, Brownsville is a satisfying collection of short stories by Oscar Casares. He shows a lot about masculinity (particularly in an area impacted both my American and Mexican ideas about what men must be) and maturing (particularly in an area squeezed by American and Mexican capitalism, values, morals, religion, and so on). Casares displays how and why these men struggle so much, but doesn't seem to offer much optimism for positive change nor ideas for altering the cultures and systems that create such men.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2018
3.9⭐ “While other sixty year-olds were slowing down, her body seemed to recovery lost years”
On this episode of LeVar Burton Reads, we're gifted with “Mrs. Perez” by Oscar Casares. I get really enthused about pieces like this because they use only a short expanse of prose and still expose a sliver of grand human soul. By the time it reaches me as a reader, it looks effortless, but I know words are hard-won.
I love that LeVar used the word “Autonomy” because that’s really what this story is all about. If you’re a caregiver in any aspect (Mrs. Perez happened to be one in several aspects, wife, mother, medical receptionist, etc), I think there comes a time when you have to answer for yourself.
After the lover’s needs are met, and the children’s needs are met, and my friends are taken care of, after the dogs are fed, the house is cleaned, the paper and aluminum is recycled, the sheets are turned down, and all is right with all the circles I have the power to touch, who am I? And, am I okay? “Mrs. Perez” is the woman in the midst of all these things. “Lola” is who she discovers, who she is in the lanes.
I also feel like there’s something a little funny here, and that’s how this woman could have tried to find the boy’s parents, or tried to call an officer, she could have done anything. But sometimes, a severely petulant, delinquent teen will only respond to one thing—a hefty, unapologetic strike. She saw the shot and she took it. Imagine the headline in the local paper. That whole community would have had a hardy laugh, especially other victims of burglary.
This is a meaningful read about life after life. It’s about wellness and personality. It’s a quirky embrace of feminine autonomy, and it was delightful.
Thanks for reading my review and if you need more LeVar in your life, I recommend his reading of Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, available on Audible.
On this episode of LeVar Burton Reads, we're gifted with “Mrs. Perez” by Oscar Casares. I get really enthused about pieces like this because they use only a short expanse of prose and still expose a sliver of grand human soul. By the time it reaches me as a reader, it looks effortless, but I know words are hard-won.
I love that LeVar used the word “Autonomy” because that’s really what this story is all about. If you’re a caregiver in any aspect (Mrs. Perez happened to be one in several aspects, wife, mother, medical receptionist, etc), I think there comes a time when you have to answer for yourself.
After the lover’s needs are met, and the children’s needs are met, and my friends are taken care of, after the dogs are fed, the house is cleaned, the paper and aluminum is recycled, the sheets are turned down, and all is right with all the circles I have the power to touch, who am I? And, am I okay? “Mrs. Perez” is the woman in the midst of all these things. “Lola” is who she discovers, who she is in the lanes.
I also feel like there’s something a little funny here, and that’s how this woman could have tried to find the boy’s parents, or tried to call an officer, she could have done anything. But sometimes, a severely petulant, delinquent teen will only respond to one thing—a hefty, unapologetic strike. She saw the shot and she took it. Imagine the headline in the local paper. That whole community would have had a hardy laugh, especially other victims of burglary.
This is a meaningful read about life after life. It’s about wellness and personality. It’s a quirky embrace of feminine autonomy, and it was delightful.
Thanks for reading my review and if you need more LeVar in your life, I recommend his reading of Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, available on Audible.
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September 24, 2024I read "Brownsville: Stories" by Oscar Casares in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, and it felt like the perfect choice. The collection beautifully honors the Mexican-American experience, offering insights into the rich cultural tapestry of life along the Texas-Mexico border. Casares’ stories highlight the significance of family, tradition, and the dual identity so many in the Hispanic community navigate. Through his characters and their stories, "Brownsville" captures the everyday moments that make up the heart of a community, making it a fitting tribute to the heritage and voices it represents.
"Brownsville: Stories" by Oscar Casares is a compelling short story collection set in the titular border town of Brownsville, Texas. The book captures the intricacies of life in this small Mexican-American community, focusing on themes of identity, family, and the blend of Mexican and American cultures.
Casares has a gift for portraying ordinary people in a way that makes their lives feel extraordinary. Each story is rooted in the day-to-day struggles and joys of his characters; whether it's dealing with immigration, generational differences, or the emotional complexities of relationships. Casares explores these themes with compassion, humor, and authenticity, allowing readers to see the challenges and richness of life on the border.
The writing is unpretentious but effective, painting vivid images of the landscape and the people who live there. The characters feel real, and their lives are depicted with a mix of melancholy and hope. Despite the book's regional focus, its themes of identity, belonging, and human connection resonate universally.
Overall, "Brownsville" is a poignant collection that provides a window into the lives of Mexican-American communities on the Texas-Mexico border. Casares offers an empathetic and nuanced portrayal of a place that is often misunderstood or reduced to political talking points, giving a voice to those who live in the in-between space of two cultures.
"Brownsville: Stories" by Oscar Casares is a compelling short story collection set in the titular border town of Brownsville, Texas. The book captures the intricacies of life in this small Mexican-American community, focusing on themes of identity, family, and the blend of Mexican and American cultures.
Casares has a gift for portraying ordinary people in a way that makes their lives feel extraordinary. Each story is rooted in the day-to-day struggles and joys of his characters; whether it's dealing with immigration, generational differences, or the emotional complexities of relationships. Casares explores these themes with compassion, humor, and authenticity, allowing readers to see the challenges and richness of life on the border.
The writing is unpretentious but effective, painting vivid images of the landscape and the people who live there. The characters feel real, and their lives are depicted with a mix of melancholy and hope. Despite the book's regional focus, its themes of identity, belonging, and human connection resonate universally.
Overall, "Brownsville" is a poignant collection that provides a window into the lives of Mexican-American communities on the Texas-Mexico border. Casares offers an empathetic and nuanced portrayal of a place that is often misunderstood or reduced to political talking points, giving a voice to those who live in the in-between space of two cultures.
October 16, 2021
First things first: That is not a tentacle on the cover (if you look closely, you'll see that it's furry). It's actually the tail of a spider monkey and apparently if you have the physical book, you'll see the rest of the monkey on the back cover. It's an interesting cover design choice, I'll say that.
Author Oscar Cásares has written 9 short stories centered around the city of Brownsville, Texas (the southernmost city in Texas). It's not exactly a linked short story collection as I didn't really notice any connections except for one minor character, but there's definitely a unity of place and culture. It's a very slice of life in many of the stories, where a conflict might just mean a pissed off neighbor. Some are great windows into mindsets, like the weird but excellent "Chango" (a jobless adult son finds a monkey head and wants to keep it) and the bittersweet "Big Jesse, Little Jesse" (a young father who doesn't understand what's happened in his relationships to his wife and son). "Domingo" is also very heartfelt.
My favorite story, however, is probably "Mrs. Perez," a older woman who found her groove as a bowler--it's also the first Cásares story I ever heard on the LeVar Burton Reads podcast (which is very well done and the reason I ended up buying this book).
If there is a flaw in this collection, it's that I wish there were more stories centered on women, as aside from "Mrs. Perez," everything else is narrated by a man or focused on one.
Author Oscar Cásares has written 9 short stories centered around the city of Brownsville, Texas (the southernmost city in Texas). It's not exactly a linked short story collection as I didn't really notice any connections except for one minor character, but there's definitely a unity of place and culture. It's a very slice of life in many of the stories, where a conflict might just mean a pissed off neighbor. Some are great windows into mindsets, like the weird but excellent "Chango" (a jobless adult son finds a monkey head and wants to keep it) and the bittersweet "Big Jesse, Little Jesse" (a young father who doesn't understand what's happened in his relationships to his wife and son). "Domingo" is also very heartfelt.
My favorite story, however, is probably "Mrs. Perez," a older woman who found her groove as a bowler--it's also the first Cásares story I ever heard on the LeVar Burton Reads podcast (which is very well done and the reason I ended up buying this book).
If there is a flaw in this collection, it's that I wish there were more stories centered on women, as aside from "Mrs. Perez," everything else is narrated by a man or focused on one.
January 26, 2025
Everyone in class hated the second story (RG) about the guy who was pissed he never got his hammer back, but I loved it. He's so me, and I regret not sticking up for the story in class, but I feel intimidated. There was only one story from a woman's perspective and it was the last story AND it was an older lady on a bowling team -- story was still good though. The rest of the stories were boring, were basically the same characters in different fonts, and the author has the same writing tone in alllllll of the stories. It got old. I found most of the stories, and the tone of them, were lacking an urgency. But I loved the hammer one (RG), and the bowling one (Mrs. Perez).
Had to read this for class, and I'm not sure why we read an entire book of short stories by the same author. I understand this as a collection, but for a creative writing class, we should be sampling lots of different writing styles, and personally, I felt bored by this one. That being said though, someone else in class may have loved this book and learned a lot. This was not my cup of tea, and thats okay. Still some decent pieces of writing in here.
Had to read this for class, and I'm not sure why we read an entire book of short stories by the same author. I understand this as a collection, but for a creative writing class, we should be sampling lots of different writing styles, and personally, I felt bored by this one. That being said though, someone else in class may have loved this book and learned a lot. This was not my cup of tea, and thats okay. Still some decent pieces of writing in here.
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