The Complete History of New Mexico: Stories

by Kevin McIlvoy

"Compelling and complex . . . Strange and wonderful."
― The New York Times Book Review , in praise of McIlvoy's previous fiction

I am going to write about the state of New Mexico and put in some maps and stuff from the encyclopedia. My theme is the Don Juan Onate trail and the Jornada Del Muerto. But I might write some other important things which as it turns out my stepmother got angry about and said she wouldn't type this until my Dad said "Dammit now it is history" and told her maybe there weren't commas in those days.

"The Complete History of New Mexico" is no ordinary research paper, and this is no ordinary collection of short stories. Eleven-year-old Chum's "history" unfolds over three distinctive and increasingly disturbing sections. He writes that "Coronado explored around and found Santa Fe in 1610"; that "William Becknell was tracking wagons over everyplace in 1821"; and that every day his best friend, Daniel, is afraid to go home.

Kevin McIlvoy intersperses the title novella with equally distinctive stories set in New Mexico. Laura, a plain, overweight nurse, encounters a terrified young man on his way to the Vietnam War and takes matters into her own hands. Zach spends time with his "white-trash" relatives and finds love's terrible and true face.

The Complete History of New Mexico is a stunningly original collection that will further McIlvoy's growing reputation.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Literature

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Kevin McIlvoy teaches in the Department of English at New Mexico State University, and in the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. Recently, he has taught at the Bread Loaf, RopeWalk, and Arizona State University writers’ conferences. He has been the editor in chief of Puerto del Sol, the NMSU national literary magazine, for twenty-three years, and has published his own work in literary magazines, including TriQuarterly, the Southern Review, River City, Ploughshares, and the Missouri Review. The Complete History of New Mexico is his first story collection; he has published four novels, A Waltz, The Fifth Station, Little Peg, and Hyssop. He and his family live in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Reviews

[Becky Marietta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories were amazing; others were too cryptic for me to enjoy. Once I figured out that "The Complete History of New Mexico" picked up in two other places, I decided to read it that way, as one story all at once, and I enjoyed it much more. I do like the way McIlvoy would sometimes write one short story and then another with the same characters, back to back--that was clever.

[sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

wasn't sure if it was 3 or 4 stars. very strange but written by someone who clearly loved language very deeply.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really impressive book that mixes sort-of languagey stories, like "Chain" or "Make it sound like a train" with some slightly more traditional stories ("Rafters," "The Rhino in the Barn") and the long title novella in three parts, which is a kid's school paper and also a story of his life, childhood, best friend, etc... I'm re-reading that one, actually, because I think maybe I didn't get it:)

I'd heard McIlvoy's name but wasn't aware that I'd ever read him before. I saw this on the shelf at the library so I picked it up, and I'm really glad I did.

This is the dullest review ever, but this book really sparkles-- great writing, challenging/ interesting takes on what stories can do, and only a couple clunkers, like "Ice" which I thought was kind of dull.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant, bizarro,dark little book of short stories out of Las Cruces. The title story is, hands down, one of the best short stories I've ever read. Other highlights are the bitter diatribe about piano-movin, and the tragi-comic tale of installing fiberglass house insulation.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I beleive this book is out of print. It's a real shame. It's a flawless colletion, and I'm not just saying that because this guy was my teacher.

[Kirbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, the best short stories I've ever read.