We Have Always Been Who We Are
by Sofia T. Romero
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Pub Date Oct 10 2023 | Archive Date Oct 24 2023
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Description
From Pushcart Prize–nominated author Sofia T. Romero comes a breathtaking debut collection of interrelated stories suffused with magical realism.
In stories that evoke the haunting beauty of New England beaches and resonate with a bittersweet loneliness, Romero blurs the lines between life and death, reality and fantasy. A deceased woman counsels her son’s fiancée on how to be a good wife to him, with disastrous consequences. A mysterious, commanding cat appears in a young woman’s home, as inexplicable as the demise of her years-long relationship with her boyfriend. At turns humorous, sorrowful, and whimsical, this collection spans the familiar setting of a college town supermarket to eerie dystopias that are not just post-pandemic, but post-art. Romero masterfully conveys the follies of youth and the regrets of life, and a sense of loss—of a relationship, a child, a time before—pervades each page.
With this remarkable debut, Romero joins the ranks of writers such as Brenda Peynado and Marytza K. Rubio, offering a superb collection of speculative fiction with a distinctly Latina perspective. We Have Always Been Who We Are is at its heart a testament to the power of storytelling, and an invitation to develop our inner strength through the imagination.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
“Romero’s voice is clean, strong and unique, and one that deserves to be heard.”
Alisa Valdés-Rodriguez, New York Times bestselling author
“Romero’s voice is clean, strong and unique, and one that deserves to be heard.”
Alisa Valdés-Rodriguez, New York Times bestselling author
Marketing Plan
- National publicity campaign
- National reviews campaign
- Mailing to influencers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
- Bookseller and library trade show marketing
- Social media campaign
- National publicity campaign
- National reviews campaign
- Mailing to influencers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
- Bookseller and library trade show marketing
- Social media campaign
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9798200884100 |
| PRICE | $26.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 195 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Camila A, Reviewer
This is a collection of short stories that are connected among themselves, usually through a couple of characters, and that become increasingly more speculative and magical while being set in our world. I loved the first stories and thought they were very impactful and right up my alley, but as I kept reading, I felt that they were too many to remember or to keep track of, and some of the less realistic ones went completely over my head. Mind you, I started reading this at a point of transition in my life, so I wasn't in a state of mind to sit down and focus all of my attention and energy in a short story. I am also still trying to figure out the kind of short story reader I am since I mostly read novels.
The book is pretty short, and so are most of the stories, which makes the reading experience generally pleasant. I wouldn't suggest readers to go through the whole book in one sitting, but that depends on everyone's preferences and styles. I would say that until halfway through the book I got vibes from No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July, which is my favorite short story collection, so if you liked that book, you might enjoy this one.
Anne F, Educator
This book is a great collection of short stories. Normally I am not a fan of magical realism, but this book read more like a novel - each short story contains a nugget from another one. I found myself unable to put the book down as I kept looking for the connections between each story. Romero’s characters are relatable and loveable.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Jodi Picoult; Jennifer Finney Boylan
General Fiction (Adult), Literary Fiction, Women's Fiction
