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Malcriada & Other Stories
“La verdad es que yo te e tratado mal. Mal porque tengo miedo. Miedo porque yo era como tú, llena de ideas y verdad, y por mi sabiduría lo perdí todo. Tú no eres Malcriada. Lo que pasa es que tu sabes demasiado.”
__ In the middle of the Caribbean Sea, aboard an illegal voyage from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, a twelve year old learns her name; a former cacao farmer finds a constellation on his lover’s thighs; best friends become strangers and find the essence of themselves in the face of deception; an old man exchanges his homeland for a New York City bodega storefront; preteen boys grapple with authority; female cousins come to terms with their first shared sexual experience; an alcoholic woman finds serenity at the bottom of the sea; feminism is deconstructed by opposing views; on the back of a motorcycle, self-awareness is found; and a woman discovers that healing is a series of choices. __
“My mother didn't teach me dependency, I want to yell and enunciate. I cannot force myself to need you. Mami taught me to use my tongue like a sword, and I haven't sharpened it in years. Too afraid, I find myself, to pain him, to say things that might strike him the wrong way. Some feelings just don't translate. “
__
“ You know that Malcriadas can love the world awake.”
__ In the middle of the Caribbean Sea, aboard an illegal voyage from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, a twelve year old learns her name; a former cacao farmer finds a constellation on his lover’s thighs; best friends become strangers and find the essence of themselves in the face of deception; an old man exchanges his homeland for a New York City bodega storefront; preteen boys grapple with authority; female cousins come to terms with their first shared sexual experience; an alcoholic woman finds serenity at the bottom of the sea; feminism is deconstructed by opposing views; on the back of a motorcycle, self-awareness is found; and a woman discovers that healing is a series of choices. __
“My mother didn't teach me dependency, I want to yell and enunciate. I cannot force myself to need you. Mami taught me to use my tongue like a sword, and I haven't sharpened it in years. Too afraid, I find myself, to pain him, to say things that might strike him the wrong way. Some feelings just don't translate. “
__
“ You know that Malcriadas can love the world awake.”
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 19, 2019
You know that Malcriadas can love the world awake.
Lorraine Avila writes to heal and it's felt so completely throughout every single story she's written. The truth, the way she writes these characters, her history, and Dominican heritage... It's powerful!!
I closed the pages of Malcriada and I felt so attached, my head and heart heavy with empathy, understanding, and connection. She wrote about everything within the scope of women's bodies, feminism, Dominican diaspora, the culture, growth, you name it and she wrote about everyone and anyone which I really liked because everyone's pov is important for empathy and compassion. The traumas and experiences she brought up caused me to be in my feelings and I just felt like it's such an important collection.
I also read her acknowledgements and found out we went to the same high school, so that is so so cool!! Espero for more of her works in the future <3
September 30, 2019
I didn't read this book faster because I was afraid it would hurt too much. And even then I read it in two days. Gracias, Lorraine. Me exprimiste los pulmones y me dejaste achocada en el piso. I can't wait to see what you write next.
October 3, 2019
Lorraine wrote this for us. For all the girls who’ve been called fast badgal malcriada and unapologetic about explorations and creating ourselves. I’ve read the reviews and saw a lot of mention of the pain Lorraine captures, but this review is about the power and healing Lorraine captures.
In all of the stories the characters allow themselves to EXPERIENCE life. They move through the circumstances of domestic violence, migration, police brutality, and all the ills of capitalism and colonization with no one’s permission but their own. They allow themselves to fail. They allow themselves to fear. They allow themselves to fall in and out love. They choose to dive in as the cover suggests. And being “ill-bred” or badly behaved has, we’ve always known, given us our power.
In all of the stories the characters allow themselves to EXPERIENCE life. They move through the circumstances of domestic violence, migration, police brutality, and all the ills of capitalism and colonization with no one’s permission but their own. They allow themselves to fail. They allow themselves to fear. They allow themselves to fall in and out love. They choose to dive in as the cover suggests. And being “ill-bred” or badly behaved has, we’ve always known, given us our power.
May 16, 2026
There's much I admire and can relate to in Malcriada. I had high hopes for this collection, especially after learning more about Lorraine Avila's own story and the labor of love this work was for her. Nonetheless, I sadly ended up not being as enamored of the collection as I'd hoped.
In terms of things I liked, I appreciated the "malcriada" leitmotif and Avila's author's note (though not labeled as such) at the beginning of the text. I valued her candor and how she laid out a constant yearning for a sense of belonging that has never materialized but that she has learned to take ownership of and navigate. These sentiments very much struck a chord with me and made me all the more eager to get acquainted with Avila's writing and the characters she would introduce in the forthcoming pages. The stories I liked most were: "Malcriada," "Cuero," "Pastelitos," and "The Law."
Though some stories were difficult to get through and, in the end, I found myself not liking, I respected Avila shining light on representative characters and situations with the intention to facilitate healing and dialogue. In my opinion, this is one of the primary reasons the collection has received such high ratings: because of it's ability to speak to the shame and facelessness much of Avila's readership likely has carried with no expectation of finding solidarity or glimpses of their own experiences in literature.
One of the definitive aspects I didn't like was the sheer number of typos (as on p.125, 143, 149, 150, 151). Although this is Avila's first published work and a first edition version of her collection, the typos were frustrating and made the book feel unpolished. In that same vein, the inclusion of illustrations throughout the text cheapened not only the reading experience but the depth of the storylines and characters. It made Malcriada come off as hokey and amateurish. A few here and there might have even been palatable, but to punctuate the start of each story and then sometimes the end with drawings was just too much. These elements definitely had an (negative) impact on my enjoyment of Malcriada as a whole. On a separate note, I unfortunately felt that the collection's closing story - "You" - was overly preachy and a disappointing ending, though I know that Avila's intent was to come full circle and present an image of healing and acceptance.
I feel that Avila is an essential and impactful voice in literature, particularly Dominican voices in literature. Her guilelessness in relaying experiences related to Dominican culture, the realities of growing up in the inner city, and straddling multiple cultures and identities is profound. I feel that as she publishes more of her work, the essence of her truth will shine brighter and be smoother around the edges. I look forward to reading what's to come, but Malcriada in its entirety sadly doesn't rank as a favorite of mine.
Noteworthy lines and passages:
"Ni de aqui, ni de alla. I was born and raised in the Bronx. A daughter of Dominicans. A chunk of my years growing up were always spent in el Cibao, so I grew up always feeling like there was no place I could be fully wedged into; a gringa there, a Dominican there and a Morenota everywhere." (2)
"...if I am Black and woman, I'm tired of it. If I am a reflection of God, where is the glory?" ("Justice," 76)
"You know we never had a lobby like this...But the minute one white person moved in management had the Super redo the entire entrance. Like ya can't see bare and ugly the way we can...And it's not that we don't like y'all - the hipsters, the doctors, the nurses, the people who gentrify. It's that we don't like that once we open the door to our community, everything changes. Everything. For your comfort. Not for ours. We've made comfort out of the conditions we've been served, and now ya just wanna run into what we created and change it without considering us. I feel the bitterness dwindle within me. It starts with the entrance, then ya want to control our customs, and next, none of our businesses are down the block." ("Justice," 79-80)
In terms of things I liked, I appreciated the "malcriada" leitmotif and Avila's author's note (though not labeled as such) at the beginning of the text. I valued her candor and how she laid out a constant yearning for a sense of belonging that has never materialized but that she has learned to take ownership of and navigate. These sentiments very much struck a chord with me and made me all the more eager to get acquainted with Avila's writing and the characters she would introduce in the forthcoming pages. The stories I liked most were: "Malcriada," "Cuero," "Pastelitos," and "The Law."
Though some stories were difficult to get through and, in the end, I found myself not liking, I respected Avila shining light on representative characters and situations with the intention to facilitate healing and dialogue. In my opinion, this is one of the primary reasons the collection has received such high ratings: because of it's ability to speak to the shame and facelessness much of Avila's readership likely has carried with no expectation of finding solidarity or glimpses of their own experiences in literature.
One of the definitive aspects I didn't like was the sheer number of typos (as on p.125, 143, 149, 150, 151). Although this is Avila's first published work and a first edition version of her collection, the typos were frustrating and made the book feel unpolished. In that same vein, the inclusion of illustrations throughout the text cheapened not only the reading experience but the depth of the storylines and characters. It made Malcriada come off as hokey and amateurish. A few here and there might have even been palatable, but to punctuate the start of each story and then sometimes the end with drawings was just too much. These elements definitely had an (negative) impact on my enjoyment of Malcriada as a whole. On a separate note, I unfortunately felt that the collection's closing story - "You" - was overly preachy and a disappointing ending, though I know that Avila's intent was to come full circle and present an image of healing and acceptance.
I feel that Avila is an essential and impactful voice in literature, particularly Dominican voices in literature. Her guilelessness in relaying experiences related to Dominican culture, the realities of growing up in the inner city, and straddling multiple cultures and identities is profound. I feel that as she publishes more of her work, the essence of her truth will shine brighter and be smoother around the edges. I look forward to reading what's to come, but Malcriada in its entirety sadly doesn't rank as a favorite of mine.
Noteworthy lines and passages:
"Ni de aqui, ni de alla. I was born and raised in the Bronx. A daughter of Dominicans. A chunk of my years growing up were always spent in el Cibao, so I grew up always feeling like there was no place I could be fully wedged into; a gringa there, a Dominican there and a Morenota everywhere." (2)
"...if I am Black and woman, I'm tired of it. If I am a reflection of God, where is the glory?" ("Justice," 76)
"You know we never had a lobby like this...But the minute one white person moved in management had the Super redo the entire entrance. Like ya can't see bare and ugly the way we can...And it's not that we don't like y'all - the hipsters, the doctors, the nurses, the people who gentrify. It's that we don't like that once we open the door to our community, everything changes. Everything. For your comfort. Not for ours. We've made comfort out of the conditions we've been served, and now ya just wanna run into what we created and change it without considering us. I feel the bitterness dwindle within me. It starts with the entrance, then ya want to control our customs, and next, none of our businesses are down the block." ("Justice," 79-80)
January 3, 2021
"My mother didn't teach me dependency, I want to yell and enunciate. I cannot force myself to need you. Mami taught me to use my tongue like a sword, and I haven't sharpened it in years."
Malcriada & Other Stories is a collection of short stories centered on the Dominican diaspora. Each one is brimming with attitude, rage, curiosity, identity, femininity, sexuality, innocence, trauma and discovery. Each one was a gut punch and left me reeling from emotional connection, feelings of being truly seen, rawness and newfound power. Every word on the pages resonated in my soul and made me reconnect with parts of my thoughts that had long been buried. This is a book that needs to be read and passed on for years to come.
"Malcriada, Justice and Bodysuit" were my favorites because they cut straight to the chase of what it means to be a woman in the world trying to live up to the standards set by a world that has for too long not protected women or even valued them for their daily resilience. "Malcriada" especially explores the complexity of the female relationships and conflicts within the same family. Thank you Lorraine Avila for this gift of prose to the world.
Malcriada & Other Stories is a collection of short stories centered on the Dominican diaspora. Each one is brimming with attitude, rage, curiosity, identity, femininity, sexuality, innocence, trauma and discovery. Each one was a gut punch and left me reeling from emotional connection, feelings of being truly seen, rawness and newfound power. Every word on the pages resonated in my soul and made me reconnect with parts of my thoughts that had long been buried. This is a book that needs to be read and passed on for years to come.
"Malcriada, Justice and Bodysuit" were my favorites because they cut straight to the chase of what it means to be a woman in the world trying to live up to the standards set by a world that has for too long not protected women or even valued them for their daily resilience. "Malcriada" especially explores the complexity of the female relationships and conflicts within the same family. Thank you Lorraine Avila for this gift of prose to the world.
January 3, 2022
There's a new genre that's emerging (or maybe I'm just late to the game). The writing is so profound that I think it should be given it's own name: First-Gen Latina/o/x & Generational Stress/Trauma. These books would be located in the Healing section of your local bookstore. Atleast that's the dream. You'll find 'Malcriada' on the shelf along with: Mujer de Color by Alejandra Jimenez, Imperfecta by Alejandra Ramos Gomez, Citizen Illegal by Jose Olivares, Lessons on Expulsion by Erika L. Sanchez, Dreaming of You by Melissa Lozada-Oliva, In the Country We Love Y Diane Guerrero, Funeral for Flaca by Emilly Prado. These books are as raw as they are heartfelt. They're unapologetically all up in your face while also wrapping you up in a big validating hug.
You know managing and coping will only convert open wounds to small aches. You know shifts end but no part of you is ever complete.
You know that Malcriadas can love the world awake.
Favorite stories:
Malcriada
Cuero
Bodysuit
The Ride on the Yamaha
You
You know managing and coping will only convert open wounds to small aches. You know shifts end but no part of you is ever complete.
You know that Malcriadas can love the world awake.
Favorite stories:
Malcriada
Cuero
Bodysuit
The Ride on the Yamaha
You
December 9, 2019
I want to start off by thanking Lorraine for sharing her truth. Malcriada & Other Stories was a collection of quick and enjoyable stories surrounding the livelihood of Dominican women. While reading this book, I had to constantly remind myself that this was not a memoir, and while the author was shedding light to trauma through fiction, it was not real. It was amazing to be able to connect to a book so much and to see my culture reflected in the text.
While I am no professional critic or even an English major, I do enjoy reading and I could tell this was Lorraine's first book. At times, I felt like the author was explaining what the "moral" of the story was, when it didn't need to be. I especially felt that in "Bodysuit". The anti-modern-day feminism comment at the end of the story was not needed, as the sentiment had already been conveyed by the author. I actually don't think that's a negative thing though, because she wrote her book in way that comprehensible for the general public, or at least the audience she's trying to engage with I presume.
The book also had a short story about Junior, which at first I thought was a cop out to add a story that the author knew would affect people. I then thought about the power that Lorraine exerted by adding this story. Just like Frank Ocean did with Treyvon Martin, she made Junior more than another boy killed by gang violence who will be forgotten in a couple of years. She memorialized him and made him part of history. Anyone could pick up this book ten or twenty years from now and be able to remember him.
I definitely felt that Malcriada & Other Stories missed the mark with discussing Afro-Latinad in the story "Justice. I listened to an interview with Lorraine where she spoke about her experience as a Dominican in the West Coast. For reference, most spanish speaking people in the West Coast are of Latin American descent, which contrasts our Caribbean roots. In this interview, she mentioned how she always related more to black women, because she did not feel accepted by her own community. That she struggled with not being enough of either group - Latino or Black. The story "Justice" explores that narrative through the various colorist comments that were rebutted by a speech from the main character, listing the reasons she should be considered Black. Although it is not her story to tell, it would have been beautiful if Afro-Latinidad would have been spoken of from a viewpoint of a dark-skinned woman, who's Blackness is not questioned.
As an Afro-Latina myself, I couldn't relate to the main character because it is not the truth I walk in. Most Afro-Latinos I know are not the ones that mistaken for Dominican or from any Spanish - speaking country. They're the ones that once they confess their ethnicity are asked to speak in Spanish because it is such an anomaly for a dark-skinned person to be part of the ethnicity group. It was absolutely not the author's intent to silence that narrative as she was wrote all her stories from personal experiences. I just always hope that when people speak on this topic of Afro-Latinida, especially our lighter skinned Hispanics, acts as allies and shed light to the beautiful Melanated Spanish-speaking humans that reside all over America and the Caribbean.
Nonetheless, a very cute short collection of stories that help us Dominicans finally be visible! I can't wait to see her future works and else she has up her sleeves.
While I am no professional critic or even an English major, I do enjoy reading and I could tell this was Lorraine's first book. At times, I felt like the author was explaining what the "moral" of the story was, when it didn't need to be. I especially felt that in "Bodysuit". The anti-modern-day feminism comment at the end of the story was not needed, as the sentiment had already been conveyed by the author. I actually don't think that's a negative thing though, because she wrote her book in way that comprehensible for the general public, or at least the audience she's trying to engage with I presume.
The book also had a short story about Junior, which at first I thought was a cop out to add a story that the author knew would affect people. I then thought about the power that Lorraine exerted by adding this story. Just like Frank Ocean did with Treyvon Martin, she made Junior more than another boy killed by gang violence who will be forgotten in a couple of years. She memorialized him and made him part of history. Anyone could pick up this book ten or twenty years from now and be able to remember him.
I definitely felt that Malcriada & Other Stories missed the mark with discussing Afro-Latinad in the story "Justice. I listened to an interview with Lorraine where she spoke about her experience as a Dominican in the West Coast. For reference, most spanish speaking people in the West Coast are of Latin American descent, which contrasts our Caribbean roots. In this interview, she mentioned how she always related more to black women, because she did not feel accepted by her own community. That she struggled with not being enough of either group - Latino or Black. The story "Justice" explores that narrative through the various colorist comments that were rebutted by a speech from the main character, listing the reasons she should be considered Black. Although it is not her story to tell, it would have been beautiful if Afro-Latinidad would have been spoken of from a viewpoint of a dark-skinned woman, who's Blackness is not questioned.
As an Afro-Latina myself, I couldn't relate to the main character because it is not the truth I walk in. Most Afro-Latinos I know are not the ones that mistaken for Dominican or from any Spanish - speaking country. They're the ones that once they confess their ethnicity are asked to speak in Spanish because it is such an anomaly for a dark-skinned person to be part of the ethnicity group. It was absolutely not the author's intent to silence that narrative as she was wrote all her stories from personal experiences. I just always hope that when people speak on this topic of Afro-Latinida, especially our lighter skinned Hispanics, acts as allies and shed light to the beautiful Melanated Spanish-speaking humans that reside all over America and the Caribbean.
Nonetheless, a very cute short collection of stories that help us Dominicans finally be visible! I can't wait to see her future works and else she has up her sleeves.
September 9, 2019
First Impression:
Malcriada & Other Stories by Lorraine Avila was a series of stories that by the title alone intrigued my senses. I read this book while on my “adult vacation” with just my husband. Aye! We all need breaks from the carajitos ok! So when I say this story caught me in waves, I really meant it. First, I will admit I started reading this on the plane at six am because I wanted to fall right to sleep. Reading sometimes puts me in a daze when I’m tired and it takes me a little while to get into stories. However, the poetry at the beginning captivated me and when I blinked an hour had passed. I didn’t know what to expect with this story right away because I was actually the well behaved daughter. Yo no era Malcriada! That was my sister, the black sheep as we called her. However, I did receive a long list of things of what is not permitted and if I violated any of them, I would be considered a Malcriada. Now don’t tell my mom but I definitely violated a few, I was just good at concealing mischievous behavior.
As I turned the pages I met a new character in a different scenario, perception and set of circumstances. Thoughts began pulsating and soon I was saying, “hum, esperate pero esta vaina se esta poniendo caliente o el sol me esta quemando?” Lorraine was able to capture so many immense thought provoking moments in this series of stories.
A couple stories cut me like a knife with a label reading “dime a ver” doesn’t this sound familiar? It took me to a dark time that I often avoid speaking about; because it’s a complexity I wish didn’t exist between us (black/brown) people. You know, this whole competition of pain and shaming, thing. That is when I met Justice, the story.
Complexity in Stories We Share:
Malcriada had many characters and very complex short stories that need an expantion to allow the veins to slowly move the blood. There are some stories that you are left feeling like holy $%^# what happened? So for the purpose of this review I’ll only touch on one short story that reached in my throat and held my uvula hostage.
Justice was one that struck a deep emotional chord because it touches on racism, culture, perception and identity crisis. Something that we Latina’s struggle with continuously is the lack of understanding where we stand in the mix of cultures. In this case, the black culture. We have heard the terms Afrolatina, Latinx and Hispanic Americans but what exactly does that mean? In the story of Justice Elidania, lives with her boyfriend who is black, suffers from a mental disability, and was aspiring to become a doctor. She was living with him and was the bread winner while he completed his tenured. Rejection and acceptance commingled in the spine of this dysfunctional relationship. Due to past ancestral ghost they couldn’t vanquish, turmoil sat on the mat of their small apartment.
Go to https://www.astridferguson.com/blog to read more...
This arc was provided to me by Dominican Writers and this has not persuaded or altered my decision in any way.
October 17, 2019
I have been a reader since I can remember clutching a book from home on the first day of Kindergarten when I thought my mom was leaving me there. However, growing up I did not read a lot of Latinx writers. There was Julia Alvarez and Sandra Cisneros but that was all I was exposed to in school.
Now we live in an age now where thanks to social media and technology we can connect and be exposed to so many Latinx writers. I am so grateful to Dominican Writers for putting me on to so many dope writers!
I was so excited to read Malcriada and Other stories because that was a word that I heard a lot growing up from my mother, family etc (along with greñuda). Although this was a book of short stories it almost felt like reading poetry because Avila just has this way of capturing emotions and writing these different characters that you feel like you’ve met them before and you probably have or maybe some of these characters were you.
So many of the stories were so familiar to me, because of the culture, the spanglish, spanish and more. It is truly beautiful to be able to pick up a book by a Dominican writer and be able to relate to some if not all of the content that is there. This is a beautiful time for Latinx writers.
I really enjoyed reading this and I’m excited to see what she writes next.
Now we live in an age now where thanks to social media and technology we can connect and be exposed to so many Latinx writers. I am so grateful to Dominican Writers for putting me on to so many dope writers!
I was so excited to read Malcriada and Other stories because that was a word that I heard a lot growing up from my mother, family etc (along with greñuda). Although this was a book of short stories it almost felt like reading poetry because Avila just has this way of capturing emotions and writing these different characters that you feel like you’ve met them before and you probably have or maybe some of these characters were you.
So many of the stories were so familiar to me, because of the culture, the spanglish, spanish and more. It is truly beautiful to be able to pick up a book by a Dominican writer and be able to relate to some if not all of the content that is there. This is a beautiful time for Latinx writers.
I really enjoyed reading this and I’m excited to see what she writes next.
October 12, 2019
"Malcriada and Other Stories" had me captured from the title alone. A short excerpt from the preface:
"...that weight of being Malcriada lived heavy in my underbelly, in my chest. Even when I managed to do what was asked of me, to exceed the steps of my predecessors, having an opinion and voicing it, made me a Malcriada.
Being a girl with wants, needs, and desires made me crooked. This notion still finds ways to live in me now. I am still shedding. I just don't apologize for it anymore. "
The sharp, new voice of this author shines throughout each story. Some of my favorites include Cuero, Romo, Mi'ja, The Law and You. "You" almost brought me to tears.
Lorraine Avila came out swinging with this debut collection of short stories. Readers who are children of immigrants will find many ways to relate to the stories, especially those Dominicans, Dominican-Americans and Dominiyorks. I'm so grateful to live in a time and age where I can see myself in the literature I read.
"...that weight of being Malcriada lived heavy in my underbelly, in my chest. Even when I managed to do what was asked of me, to exceed the steps of my predecessors, having an opinion and voicing it, made me a Malcriada.
Being a girl with wants, needs, and desires made me crooked. This notion still finds ways to live in me now. I am still shedding. I just don't apologize for it anymore. "
The sharp, new voice of this author shines throughout each story. Some of my favorites include Cuero, Romo, Mi'ja, The Law and You. "You" almost brought me to tears.
Lorraine Avila came out swinging with this debut collection of short stories. Readers who are children of immigrants will find many ways to relate to the stories, especially those Dominicans, Dominican-Americans and Dominiyorks. I'm so grateful to live in a time and age where I can see myself in the literature I read.
August 14, 2019
Avila's is a heck of a writer! Her powerful and expressive writing grabbed my attention from beginning to end. Malcriada & Other Stories is jammed packed with compelling stories that touched my heart and mind. I felt the stories were realistic and some of them immediately transported me to the Dominican Republic. I swallowed the stories in one sitting but feel I need to go back and re-read the entire book at a slower pace. I also enjoyed and appreciated the drawings throughout the book.
A huge thank you to Dominican Writers and Lorraine Avila for an advanced copy of this fascinating book in exchange for an honest review. My heart continues to be filled with pure joy and delight every time I learn of a new Dominican author. The world better watch out! :-)
A huge thank you to Dominican Writers and Lorraine Avila for an advanced copy of this fascinating book in exchange for an honest review. My heart continues to be filled with pure joy and delight every time I learn of a new Dominican author. The world better watch out! :-)
November 6, 2019
I’ve never felt so seen in a book the language the location the cultural relevancy I hope this is just the beginning !! Love this book
August 28, 2019
Loved this debut! Such a rare and authentic voice much-needed in Latinx literature. Can't wait to celebrate this book when it's released. Watch out world for Lorraine Avila. Ha llegado.
Read
November 6, 2019I read this book while gripping my pillow to stop my heart from busting out of my chest. Lorraine is a writer leading Dominicans to the deepest of truths. So excited for everyone to read this work.
December 5, 2019
I had the pleasure of meeting Avila for a creative writing workshop. Her words align well with her book in terms of power. She also explained to us her feelings as a HIspanic in America, and what the future has to offer to us.
Malcriada & other stories is a heart of relatability ready to be shared. The aspects of life as a woman are highlighted and displayed with the utmost importance. These difficult themes need to be brought forward and to the attention of as many readers as possible. The Dominican lifestyle is one that needs to be heard near and far. My classmates adore this book for its collection of both grief and happiness. In looking at grief, the book does not take a crying perspective. All events are very direct and real, leaving the emotional value to the reader. Looking at happier stories, the book recounts it in a double-edged way: Make sure to catch all of the details. Immigration generations can recount stories similar to these, and thus should read Avila’s perspective on telling them.
The stories presented created a fantastic set of discussions for my classroom. My fellow peers and I found much to relate to as immigrants and descendents of immigrants. Where other authors may hesitate to write about such difficult topics, Avila keeps it extremely real. Through this collection, she covers topics including domestic abuse, illegal immigration, complicated relationships, and more. All of these topics are told in a fantastic Hispanic perspective with extremely vivid color and thought. For us, it is difficult to live in America during these difficult political times. However, I found comfort in Avila’s writing because of both how sentimental and realistic situations are. Be ready to read in Spanish as well as English, despite it being translated for you throughout the context of the story. Despite the book’s appeal for Hispanic and Latino readers, I encourage all to give the book a try. It contains more than just Hispanic tendencies. Her messages are meant to be heard by all. Her culture is merely a means of discussing topics that would otherwise not be brought up. Her final message to us explains her hopes of allowing to heal from any memories these stories may have brought to us. I definitely have gained new perspectives at events in my life previously seen as only negative. Through Avila’s stories, I’ve also learned to accept the difficulties in my life and understand the other party’s reasoning.
This is an excellent cultural book that I recommend. Stories that are good not just as a bedside read, but as an ethical and moral experience. You will gain knowledge of both Latin culture and retrospection. I look forward to reading more of her books to further continue learning new ways to visualize and remember. For a debut book, this has much to offer. Appreciation for the artwork also goes a long way, as a collection of stories with visuals gives us a setting for a fantastic moral outcome.
Malcriada & other stories is a heart of relatability ready to be shared. The aspects of life as a woman are highlighted and displayed with the utmost importance. These difficult themes need to be brought forward and to the attention of as many readers as possible. The Dominican lifestyle is one that needs to be heard near and far. My classmates adore this book for its collection of both grief and happiness. In looking at grief, the book does not take a crying perspective. All events are very direct and real, leaving the emotional value to the reader. Looking at happier stories, the book recounts it in a double-edged way: Make sure to catch all of the details. Immigration generations can recount stories similar to these, and thus should read Avila’s perspective on telling them.
The stories presented created a fantastic set of discussions for my classroom. My fellow peers and I found much to relate to as immigrants and descendents of immigrants. Where other authors may hesitate to write about such difficult topics, Avila keeps it extremely real. Through this collection, she covers topics including domestic abuse, illegal immigration, complicated relationships, and more. All of these topics are told in a fantastic Hispanic perspective with extremely vivid color and thought. For us, it is difficult to live in America during these difficult political times. However, I found comfort in Avila’s writing because of both how sentimental and realistic situations are. Be ready to read in Spanish as well as English, despite it being translated for you throughout the context of the story. Despite the book’s appeal for Hispanic and Latino readers, I encourage all to give the book a try. It contains more than just Hispanic tendencies. Her messages are meant to be heard by all. Her culture is merely a means of discussing topics that would otherwise not be brought up. Her final message to us explains her hopes of allowing to heal from any memories these stories may have brought to us. I definitely have gained new perspectives at events in my life previously seen as only negative. Through Avila’s stories, I’ve also learned to accept the difficulties in my life and understand the other party’s reasoning.
This is an excellent cultural book that I recommend. Stories that are good not just as a bedside read, but as an ethical and moral experience. You will gain knowledge of both Latin culture and retrospection. I look forward to reading more of her books to further continue learning new ways to visualize and remember. For a debut book, this has much to offer. Appreciation for the artwork also goes a long way, as a collection of stories with visuals gives us a setting for a fantastic moral outcome.
May 14, 2020
La verdad es que yo te e tratado mal. Mal porque tengo miedo. Miedo porque yo era como tú, llena de ideas y verdad, y por mi sabiduría lo perdí todo. Tú no eres Malcriada. Lo que pasa es que tu sabes demasiado.” Genre: Fiction
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Malcriada & other stories was a book I read a few months back & I still haven’t been able to get it out of my head. I just had to write a review. I gave this short stories book 5/5 ⭐️ because it was truly amazing. I love the way @lorraineavila_ wrote it made me feel like I was getting pulled deeper & deeper into each story. Being a young Afro Latina from the Bronx I related to soo much to this book. It’s speaks about important topics like the Dominican diaspora, trauma, feminism, sexuality & overall the culture ✊🏽 & btw the book is filled with beautiful illustrations. I even made my bf read it & he loved it. So please do yourself a favor & pick this Gem up during this quarantine. It a beautiful short read. ✨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Malcriada & other stories was a book I read a few months back & I still haven’t been able to get it out of my head. I just had to write a review. I gave this short stories book 5/5 ⭐️ because it was truly amazing. I love the way @lorraineavila_ wrote it made me feel like I was getting pulled deeper & deeper into each story. Being a young Afro Latina from the Bronx I related to soo much to this book. It’s speaks about important topics like the Dominican diaspora, trauma, feminism, sexuality & overall the culture ✊🏽 & btw the book is filled with beautiful illustrations. I even made my bf read it & he loved it. So please do yourself a favor & pick this Gem up during this quarantine. It a beautiful short read. ✨
December 5, 2019
So my professor assigned us this book for our creative writing class. Growing up I used to love reading books, but I got tired of reading about girls who aren’t like me. I had to reimagine myself as the main character and sometimes it just wouldn't match with the rest of the story. I wanted to read about me for once and relate to who I was reading about but there wasn’t really anything for me to read. This book and another book my professor had assigned us returned my love for reading as well as writing. Reading this book felt like Lorraine Avila was writing it for me. For the small little bisexual, Dominican girl growing up in New York, wanting to defy her families rules but not having the balls to do so. Reading this inspired me in ways I could not explain. I became unafraid to write about girls with broken Spanish, and big poofy hair. I found myself in the pages of this book. For anybody who's being skeptical about reading this book, I really suggest you read it. The stories hold so much culture and beauty that you won't be able to put it down. I've been reading books for such a long time and never came across a book that spoke on girl’s like me and a family that sounded like mine. One of my favorite stories in the book is Nereyda’s Stars. I won’t give it away for those who haven’t read it. But it was so beautiful and reminded me of the reality of this generation and how they deal with love and relationships. The story Cuero holds a special place in my heart because of its heartbreak and Lauren’s struggle with loving someone who refuses to love her back. As well struggling within herself with her own sexuality. Papi was another story of the many that made my heart clench in ways I could not describe. The meaning behind Papi and his hands and what he does makes you want to reread it despite the fact that it's a painful story to imagine. This whole book as exaggerated as it sounds was amazing. I recommend this to anyone that’s looking to step out of their comfort zone and read something that’ll leave you wanting more. Lorraine captures the essence of being a woman in beautiful words as well as speaking on the Dominican/ Puerto Rican culture. The words seep into your brain like a tattoo onto a skin. They stick to you and make you want to reread them over and over again. Not only that but the artwork, I found so cute and added an extra bit of beauty to wrap this book all together. Overall, as you can see, I really enjoyed this book. I’m glad my professor told us to read this. I plan on re-reading as many times as I can. Thank you Lorraine for this book. I’m glad you put this out. I’ll be suggesting it to every single one of my friends.
January 16, 2020
Wow! This was beautiful and both so precise and abstract and validate me as much as it made me confront things and I am so appreciative to this author for what this did for parts of me and I know this is a ridiculous sentence but wow. I went through such a range of emotions in these stories. It brought some healing and highlighted the healing I still needed. And there were just some beautiful phrases that described exact scenarios or ppl or experiences that I could never describe precisely enough but i heard myself going “that is exactly what it is”. Love love loved this.
March 2, 2021
"The women in your generation are unafraid once they choose to end cycles by holding lessons they learn.
Build your own sense of self. Do not seek lanes that are not yours.
Listen to the voice-the subtle one." (p.153)
I know, Lorraine.
Thank you.
Build your own sense of self. Do not seek lanes that are not yours.
Listen to the voice-the subtle one." (p.153)
I know, Lorraine.
Thank you.
May 4, 2020
While reading this book I could resemble with most of the stories. I could see the trauma, the pain but also the strength and message in all each story. Absolutely would recommend as a read.
July 24, 2020
amazing amazing book! I’m so fortunate to have a friend who gift it to me but every story brought tears to my eyes I related so much! Beautiful proud to be Dominican
September 3, 2020
Relatable, compelling & moving.
September 20, 2020
Such an amazing book! Stories filled with truth, bravery, life, trauma, and strength. I will probably re-read these stories multiple times in my lifetime. Beautiful life reminders of resiliency.
January 25, 2021
wow. WOW. GUAOOOO. ♥️♥️♥️
🥺🥺😭😭 cried so much. what a gem✨
🥺🥺😭😭 cried so much. what a gem✨
October 5, 2021
Short stories, and apart for Malcriada, not particularly good ones...
November 5, 2021
This book and I laid by the pool and the beach. Great read.
April 28, 2024
I’ve been called a malcriada before, this book named so many different parts of me and affirmed them.
February 12, 2020
I decided to read Lorraine's book after visiting her discussion on Malcriada at the Lit Bar. I'm glad I did because not only did I really enjoy the thought processes behind the writing but the actual book is amazing. Prior to reading Malcriada, my relationship to reading had been boggled down with resentment and disinterest, but this book revived my passion. The stories ebb and flow gracefully through so many different themes of: Dominican identity, hood love, pain and familial drama. When I read books I have a tendency to make a small fold at the corner for the pages the shocked or resonate with me the most; by the time I finished the book I noticed that pretty much every page was folded. I think that there are so many books that touch on Dominican identity and the growing pains of change within interpersonal and environmental relationships but this book stood out and really did it for me. I'm super excited to share this book with all of my homegirls. Also to note that you don't have to be Dominican or a woman to enjoy the book; in my mind the book is made for us but others can still learn from it. Malcriada transcends all the bullshit and really hits home. She did that.
December 17, 2019
If you know Spanish the title draws you in immediately. In the spanish speaking community, any kid that's outspoken and opinionated gets accused of being malcriada/o. Lorraine did an amazing job of reclaiming the term as one to be proud of. The voice Lorraine uses to tells these stories is so organic that it penetrates deep. It's rare that a book makes me feel so seen and not alone. Thank you Lorraine for writing our stories.
December 5, 2019
Lorraine Avila's debut is nothing short of inspiring and amazing. She shares a collection of short stories with fictional characters, and she uses Spanglish to write her work. While some of her work brings back some pleasant and funny nostalgic memories, others tell the heartfelt stories people struggling with to find, love, a home, and understand their sexuality. In her work we see Avila take on strong ideals such a women's expression of their sexuality and social norms. Avila's stories are a blend of both her cultures, she writes in English and Spanish to create such emotional pieces. In her works she does a great job of not overly describing things to the readers, she chooses her words wisely, that she is capable of creating a vivid picture without the extra words. Her work uses a lot of motifs and metaphors, which gives some of her stories an abstract feel to it. It may be because of her use of imagery that she uses very often.
I truly enjoyed reading this collection of stories. It was very refreshing and honest like I said there was also a sense of nostalgia in some stories. The stories are so strong and some are sweet but they are all interesting reads, there was none that fell flat. Once I picked it up I could not put it back down. Avila does an incredible job to capture the feel of Hispanic culture in her stories, the ideas, thoughts that are whispered. It is one of the most captivating reads on this year, and a great debut for Avila, I can't wait for more of her work.
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