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Noiryorican: Short Fiction
A reluctant assassin is born. A con man tries to sell the Grand Central clock. A superhero is dying to lose her powers. In thirteen fast-moving stories, the author of Hipster Death Rattle explores the tragic world of noir fiction with a wide range of Latinx characters. These stories define noir as tales of people who fall not from great heights but from the stoop and the sidewalk. A follow-up to the author’s Roachkiller and Other Stories, which received the Spinetingler Award for Best Anthology/Short Story Collection, this contains a sequel to that anthology’s eponymous story. Praise for “It strikes an authentic tone that rings true to my seasoned ear. The array of characters encompasses the Nuyorican experience devoid of sentiment or artifice. Score one for the home team.” —Edwin Torres, author of Carlito’s Way “With considerable style, poise, and humor, Richie Narvaez’s Noiryorican unpacks a world of grifters, street punks and hangers-on just trying to get by in the big city when the odds are stacked against them. At his street poet best Narvaez gives Jonathan Lethem and Junot Diaz a run for their money. I loved this collection.”—Adrian McKinty, bestselling author of The Chain “In this eclectic collection of noir stories, Narvaez takes the reader across the boroughs of New York City, Puerto Rico, LA, and Texas. Open this book and take this ride through the mazes of Narvaez’s imagination.”—Ivelisse Rodriguez, author of Love War Stories
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 13, 2021
Richie Narvaez is the author of HIPSTER DEATH RATTLE, HOLLY HERNANDEZ AND THE DEATH OF DISCO, the 2013 Spinetingler Award for Best Short Story Collection, ROACHKILLER & OTHER STORIES, and of course, this one, NOIRYORICAN: SHORT FICTION, which contains thirteen on-the-edge of your seat stories that explore not only the world of noir, but a range of Latinx characters that are often left out of the mainstream.
When Narvaez announced this project, I jumped for joy. A collection of short stories centered around Latinx characters? Right there, if you ask me, Narvaez has won me over (if he already didn't with his ROACHKILLER collection). While this collection focuses on noir, a sub-genre of crime fiction, there are some other blended elements, including the horror and superhero genres, and that's why I adore Narvaez's depth as a short story writer: there's something for everyone.
In the book's introduction by Narvaez, he notes that most of these short stories don't have a happy ending, and he's right. The characters in these stories are not all bad, maybe some, but they often do find themselves in screwed up situations. That's why readers find themselves rooting for them, and Narvaez is to blame for that. He's THAT damn good at characterization. In one way or another, every character in this collection stands out. Don't believe me? Read it for yourself, then.
From Roachkiller's origin story to a revenge-plot-gone-wrong; from a zombie outbreak to a super-hero praying to lose the limelight; from pissed off neighbors to a con's attempt to sell the Grand Central Station's clock -- there's a lot to unpack!
As I semi-alluded to in the beginning, it wasn't only the edge-of-your-seat stories that moved me to purchase this collection (Hell, after ROACHKILLER I knew this bad boy would bring the heat), but the exploration of its Latinx characters, thrusting them into the limelight, and the situations they find themselves in really enticed me.
And what can I say? As a mixed-Puerto Rican, I love seeing literature push boundaries and allow me to sit with characters who I relate to. There are a few authors who are doing this nowadays, and Richie is one of them!
Give the book a shot, you won't regret it.
A list of my favorite stories:
- "The Godfather of Williamsburg"
- "Merry Xmas From Orchard Beach"
- "Pale Yellow Sun"
- "How to Kill a Brown Girl (or Black, White, or Halfsie)
- "Old Pendejo"
- "Bobo"
- "Black Friday"
When Narvaez announced this project, I jumped for joy. A collection of short stories centered around Latinx characters? Right there, if you ask me, Narvaez has won me over (if he already didn't with his ROACHKILLER collection). While this collection focuses on noir, a sub-genre of crime fiction, there are some other blended elements, including the horror and superhero genres, and that's why I adore Narvaez's depth as a short story writer: there's something for everyone.
In the book's introduction by Narvaez, he notes that most of these short stories don't have a happy ending, and he's right. The characters in these stories are not all bad, maybe some, but they often do find themselves in screwed up situations. That's why readers find themselves rooting for them, and Narvaez is to blame for that. He's THAT damn good at characterization. In one way or another, every character in this collection stands out. Don't believe me? Read it for yourself, then.
From Roachkiller's origin story to a revenge-plot-gone-wrong; from a zombie outbreak to a super-hero praying to lose the limelight; from pissed off neighbors to a con's attempt to sell the Grand Central Station's clock -- there's a lot to unpack!
As I semi-alluded to in the beginning, it wasn't only the edge-of-your-seat stories that moved me to purchase this collection (Hell, after ROACHKILLER I knew this bad boy would bring the heat), but the exploration of its Latinx characters, thrusting them into the limelight, and the situations they find themselves in really enticed me.
And what can I say? As a mixed-Puerto Rican, I love seeing literature push boundaries and allow me to sit with characters who I relate to. There are a few authors who are doing this nowadays, and Richie is one of them!
Give the book a shot, you won't regret it.
A list of my favorite stories:
- "The Godfather of Williamsburg"
- "Merry Xmas From Orchard Beach"
- "Pale Yellow Sun"
- "How to Kill a Brown Girl (or Black, White, or Halfsie)
- "Old Pendejo"
- "Bobo"
- "Black Friday"
January 20, 2023
Really fun and at times depressing read. Short story collections came to me later in life, there is a beauty to the art form of creating these characters and stringing along stories that differ yet retain a sense of belonging. Belonging to the same universe, for better or worse.
I highly recommend this one for those who want a dive into the psyche and/or surface level happenings of characters our parents told us to stay away from.
For some of us, these charcters could be our aunts and uncles. For others they could be our parents. They could be people buried in neighorhoods we only pass through in order to reach our destination.
Perhaps these characters could also represent us.
I highly recommend this one for those who want a dive into the psyche and/or surface level happenings of characters our parents told us to stay away from.
For some of us, these charcters could be our aunts and uncles. For others they could be our parents. They could be people buried in neighorhoods we only pass through in order to reach our destination.
Perhaps these characters could also represent us.
November 30, 2021
From zombies to superheroes to double crosses, love, and outright crime, Narvaez gives you quite a bit to love in this collection of unique tales. I enjoyed them all but if I had to pick a favorite it would involve Don McLean and a vendetta against the IRS. Go forth, seek out, purchase and enjoy. Tell 'em another lover of American Pie sent you. Fun was had!
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July 16, 2022fantastic collection
These stories are a diverse collection of noir short stories. There’s not a weak story in the bunch. Each is taut and engaging. Highly recommended
These stories are a diverse collection of noir short stories. There’s not a weak story in the bunch. Each is taut and engaging. Highly recommended
April 9, 2023
Phenomenal.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews