Chicano Chicanery: Short Stories

by Daniel Chacon

In bittersweet comic fables and through tales of frightening realism, Daniel Chacón captures the shrewd, furtive, and sometimes tortuous ways by which Mexican-Americans manage to survive in intimidating territory--often only to trip themselves out.

Genres: Fiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2000

Reviews

[Zadan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has many stories in it but the one I will be talking about is a man named Juan impersonating a dead man named Miguel to live in the States and make money for his family. I wasn't very enthused to read this book when I first saw it. I just picked the first book that looked interesting. But now after reading it, I can say this is most likely one of my favorite books I've read this year. liked how there are multiple stories in the nook so it always feels new. Sometimes when I read a book it starts to feel stale and more like a chore than something I can enjoy but with this Im always interested to see what comes next. For instance, there was a story about a bunch of friends trying to find out what they should get their coworker for their birthday and as soon as I started to get bored of the story there was a new one to read. A part of the story I really liked and honestly found kind of funny was when Juan thought he was going to get caught so he packed everything up and tried to run away just to find out that they weren't looking for him but somebody else. I feel that the intended audience for this book is for high school students who get bored reading books very fast and just want short quick reads. I think if you want interesting stories with plots that will keep you page turning you should check this book out

[Scott Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of these stories detail characters covering up necessary or fallen into lies and finding shaky love and shaky answers. Fitting into and living out false lives with that forever insecurity, childhood betrayals, white privilege problems in academic, Chicano connection to Mexico, deadends in jobs and towns and in people. Characters get caught between cultures, Native, Chicano or Anglo. These stories have humor, sadness, said lies and the seeking of survival. “Godoy Lives” is hilarious and strange, the “Epilogue: Story #7 in D minor” is experimental as you might guess as the narrator suggests you write the story yourself before moving on. An enjoyable collection.

[Ernest Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressive array that shows the diversity of Chicano life, from growing up in the barrio, to crossing the border, to Mexico City and the far edges of Aztlán, and even some post-modernismo.

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although I loved Chacón's first novel, "And the Shadows Took Him," I am sorry that I can't say the same thing about this book. I found it tedious and boring to read the 13 short stories in the collection. I asked a couple of other people to read the book, one of the individuals is a Chicano Studies professor, and none of them liked the book either.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read three short stories from this collection: "The Biggest City in the World," "Aztlán, Oregon," and "Too White."

[Vincent Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, sweet, and mixed matched chicano lives. I loved every story. A very unexpected journey through the eyes of a chicano writer.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these stories. Each one is unique and compelling. I'm certainly intrigued to read more by Mr. Chacón.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun, interesting short stories that come together to create a critique of the Chicanx movement. We'll worth your time.