Lori Marie Carlson Books

Here are the sights, sounds, and rhythms of Cuba, revealed in the evocative works of some of the finest Cuban and Cuban American poets of the twentieth century. In Burnt Sugar, bestselling translator Lori Marie Carlson and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Oscar Hijuelos have created an intimate collection of some of their favorite modern poems, all of which are informed by cubanía -- the essence of what it means to be Cuban. "Cuban" in this sense refers neither to ideology nor to geography but rather to the distinguishing characteristics of Cuban poetry as it has developed over time: clever verbal play, overt rhythmic notes, and an intensity of longing, whether religious, political, or amorous. Many of these poems have never been translated into English before, and taken together they, as the editors say, "produce a vibrant, satisfying sound and vivid imagery. They allow for some understanding of modern-day preoccupations, contradictions, feelings, and attitudes considered to be Cuban." Stirring, immediate, and universal in its sensibility, Burnt Sugar is a luminous collection lovingly compiled by two of the world's foremost authorities on the subject.

Exploring diverse experiences, this collection features ten unique stories centered on American Indian life, offering a raw and original perspective. Each narrative stands apart, showcasing a variety of voices and themes that challenge conventional portrayals, making for an engaging and thought-provoking read.

The narrative follows Lenora Demarest, a determined American beauty, as she pursues her dream of becoming the first female aviator in Puerto Rico. Her journey reflects resilience and ambition, set against the backdrop of a vibrant culture. The story captures her challenges and triumphs, highlighting her strong-willed nature and the unique environment that shapes her aspirations.

“Heartfelt, intelligent. . . imagine Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club crossed with Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate . . . . Carlson’s love and appreciation for Latin cadences and culture comes though on every page.”  —  Los Angeles Times Claire is a young, struggling New Yorker whose understanding of life is enriched after a group of older and wiser Latina women bring her into a close-knit their Upper West Side  tertulia . Once a month, they come together for a Sunday afternoon of revelry, at which delicious food and strong opinions are served up in equal measure. Through their recollections and counsel, Claire comes to know the colorful, exotic, and sometimes contradictory attitudes that informed these women's lives. She begins to see her own challenges through a prism more poetic and worldly. Humorous and bittersweet,  The Sunday Tertulia  brings to life cherished Latin traditions and celebrates women's wisdom and spirituality.

Set in the 1920s and 1930s, The Flamboyant tells the life story of Lenora Demarest, an American beauty intent on achieving fulfillment as the first aviatrix in her adopted country of Puerto Rico. Born in 1900, on the cusp of sweeping change in American society, Lenora grows up in a quaint lakeside village in western New York State in the company of her adoring parents and their intellectual friends, After her mother's sudden death, she accompanies her grief-stricken father, Dr. Henry Demarest, to a lush hacienda on the northern coast of Puerto Rico. Over the next decade, they turn their tropical estate into a successful grapefruit plantation, and Henry remarries. Meanwhile, Lenora is courted by a dashing American aviator who awakens in her a passion for flying, and a gentle, wealthy Puerto Rican entrepreneur who stops at little to win her affection. In love with both men, Lenora nevertheless confounds her family and friends by her reactions to these very different suitors. Inspired by the life of a historical figure, and set against the vibrant backdrop of colonial politics, The Flamboyant traces the inner life of a quintessential modern woman -- spirited and determined to live out her dreams. In language that captures the great natural splendor of rural New York as well as the Caribbean, it also evokes, in exhilarating colors, the magic of early aviation and pays tribute to an American heroine ahead of her time.