"Coco" is a novella that tells the story of two families; the Trozco's and the Fabo's and the two children that set the destiny of both families in motion. Sammy is born with an exceptional beauty but a broken heart. Maribel Trozco is a child full of joy yet with a unique condition; a third arm she later calls "Coco."
Kristy Webster is a writer, artist and mother of two. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University and her Bachelor's Degree from the Evergreen State College where she majored in creative writing, visual arts, and feminist studies. Her work has appeared in several online and print journals such as Pacific Literary Review, The Feminist Wire, Molotov Cocktail, Ginger Piglet, Stone Hobo, Connotation Press, Abacot Journal, Thickjam, A Word With You Press, A Fly in Amber and in two print anthologies by GirlChildPress. She is the daughter of a Colombian immigrant and a Montana cowboy.
First of all, I loved it because Kristy wrote it. Then, I love the sheer story: its jumps and juxtapositions become part of the storytelling magic. I love the grandmother who worries and works and tries SO hard to make everything the way it should be. And finally, Coco herself, becoming a presence with a mind of her own. More subtly, I'm intrigued by Kristy's playing with the idea of Spirit--that there is a balance, which can, sometimes, be achieved. The concept of spirit, outside institutions and religions, gives Magic Realism its power and credibility, which Kristy has both achieved and joined. Next time--a full-length novel, please!