The retablos collected by massey and durand for miracles on the border, which date from 1912 to 1996, represent modern expressions of this traditional mexican art form. Gary soto, author of the elements of san joaquin we inhabit a border world rich in characters, lush with details, playful and poignant, a border that refutes the stereotypes and divisions smaller minds. Stories from a life lived along the border becomes part of a dreamscape that plays out before us where seemingly random memories blend to form a discernible arc to help us to see who octavio solis is as an adult and why. Retablos is sometimes sweet and sometimes harrowing. Nov 29, 2018 but retablos is a different and uniquely personal project. Retablos stories from a life lived along the border ebook. Theyre memories, and, as such, theyre not always complete. The new york times directs readers to retablos if you want to know whats life really like on the mexican border. Retablos inescapably deals with identity, and the many firsts of a young boy living near. Solis took a break from the houston rehearsals to talk with me about his decision to take the word for word approach. Retablos stories from a life lived along the border. Rituals of childhood and rites of passage are remembered as singular, dramatic. Octavio soliss retablos offers a vision of the border beyond the. Though born in the united states, as a small boy octavio is harassed by.
Retablos, octavio solis inventive memoir, could happen. The stories that make up octavio soliss retablos are as taut. Mar 06, 2020 performed in word for words intimate home of z space, retablos. In octavio solis carefully crafted retablos, an expansive. Retablos by octavio solis overdrive rakuten overdrive. Lynn garlick retablos grew organically over a period of 20 years. If retablos are offerings, then solis book is a gift of memory, not always pleasant, but always true. The time period, the locale, the culture, the experiences, all seem to resonate and touch the heart. Word for word, golden thread, crowded fire dramas set in texas, turkey jean schiffman.
Later, retablos evolved to include daily scenes in the lives of the andean people, such as harvests, processions, feasts, and tableaux depicting shops and homes. Stories from a life lived along the border earns 5. Stories from a life lived along the border comes to. Produced for mexican migrants to the united states, these retablos were left anonymously at churches as. Awardwinning playwright solis explains the genesis of his debut book before proceeding to vignettes of his formative years in a border city. Each short piece, each of the retablos is a stunning, masterful painting. Stories from a life lived along the border earns 5 stars rating. Actors look like cover images on an old book, one where not all the colors come through, but in a way that somehow enhances their majesty. Retablos wins 2018 silver indies award for book of the year memoir and. But its the stories, growing up in the borderland, that inspired his book retablos. But retablos is a different and uniquely personal project. Produced for mexican migrants to the united states, these retablos were left anonymously at churches as offerings for miracles granted. Octavio solis retablos is a sacred and secular memory play. His teenage mom, mexican by birth, had the paperwork required for living in the.
Playwright octavio solis lays out his memoir in retablos, folk paintings made on repurposed metal in gratitude for the divine resolution of lifes crises. His book of stories based on that history is retablos. Like traditional retablos, the rituals of childhood. Solis describes the stories as disconnected and yet thoroughly interconnected.
Recommended by the new york times and nbc news, and called one of the best books of the year by buzzfeed. A novel to enter into this book is like walking into a shrine, walls lined with beautiful paintings, each one colorful and visceral, depicting memories, life on the border, death and sadness and joy. Actors look like cover images on an old book, one where not all the colors come through, but in. Retablos is a different and uniquely personal project. This is one of the most memorable books written about the borderlands in years. The short chapters created tableaus of people and events that have stayed with me long after putting the book down.
Retablos are a sophisticated peruvian folk art in the form of portable boxes which depict religious, historical, or everyday events that are important to the indigenous people of the highlands. Stories from a life lived along the border, by octavio solis. The new york times recommends retablos if you want to know whats life really like on the mexican border. Like traditional retablos, the rituals of childhood and rites of passage are remembered as singular, dramatic events, selfcontained episodes with life. Stories from a life lived along the border, octavio solis illuminates the unreliability of memory. This is a wonderful book to read and share during a time when the border is so much in the news. These stories have layer upon layer of images, meaning, and grace. In octavio solis carefully crafted retablos, an expansive new vision of a troubled america. The book is rendered in tight, standalone recollections rich with. Beautiful prose by one of the best playwrights in america. Solis memories feel hallowed, sacred, but too often the cast treat the text reverentially.
Solis writes every memory we have has a patina of invention to it. The use of wood for the outside box remained, but other materials, such as gypsum, clay, or a potatogypsumclay paste mix, were increasingly used for the figures because of their ease of handling and durability. Now, word for word is transposing of the book s very short chapters to the stage. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Stories from a life lived along the border by octavio solis. Apr 19, 2017 the retablos collected by massey and durand for miracles on the border, which date from 1912 to 1996, represent modern expressions of this traditional mexican art form. Lynn garlick retablos new mexico retablos everyday saints. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Retablos are brightly painted scenes on flattened pieces of metal depicting personal crises whose positive outcomes were achieved through divine intervention. How do you think this impacts time throughout the book. More generally retablo is also the spanish term for a retable or reredos above an altar, whether a large altarpiece painting or an elaborate wooden structure with sculptures. Watching these moments unfold of his earlier life, we cannot help but reflect on our own lives with.
The very short stories in this book really arent stories. To create these heartfelt paintings of saints, angels and blessings, lynn has brought to the folk art of retablo making, all the skills and passions that she has learned through a lifetime of drawing, woodworking and painting. The author of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book. Octavio solis retablos is a sacred and secular memory. Stories from a life lived along the border, published by city lights publishers, has just received the 2018 silver indies award for book of the year and has been chosen by the national reading group months committee for the great group reads 2019 selections.
Solis recreates pivotal moments when he asserted his independence from parental oversight to engage in inevitable rites of passage. Retablos, stories from a life lived along the border press. Typically this includes painting, sculpture or a combination of the two, and. Oct 23, 2018 the book is rendered in tight, standalone recollections rich with poetry and honesty. He notes that the act of remembering trims away inconsequential details, which endow whats remembered with. Playwrights book tells stories of childhood along the border. A highly regarded playwright, solis new collection of pocketsize memoirs is a uniquely personal project that brings to life vivid memories and misadventures from his youth. Retablos ebook pima county public library bibliocommons. A retablo is a devotional painting, especially a small popular or folk art one using iconography derived from traditional catholic church art. Performed in word for words intimate home of z space, retablos. Some you will want to stand in front of for a long time. Solis is shaped by the dizzying experiences that make up retablos, that come from a life lived in between. Recommended by the new york times and nbc news, and called one of the best books of the year by buzzfeed the new york times directs readers to retablos if you want to know whats life really like on the mexican border. Like traditional retablos, the rituals of childhood and rites of passage are remembered as singular, dramatic events, selfcontained episodes with lifechanging reverberations.
It is a tradition originated in ayacucho the spanish word retablo comes from the latin retrotabulum behind the table or altar, which was later shortened to retabulum. Tells stories about his childhood and coming of age, including his. Like the images he emulates, solis stories transcend the limits of borders and time. Like traditional retablos, the rituals of childhood and rites. Retablos, stories from a life lived along the border. But for the upcoming adaptation of retablos, which is about living near the u. Word for words first production of the 2020 season is octavio soliss retablos. Called one of the best books of fall 2018 by buzzfeed, the millions, and the cbc. The 50 episodes in solis memoir are like retablos because they are the true, if imprecise, myths that explain his life and his world. Retablos, on the periphery explore life on the border. Stories from a life lived along the border by octavio solis published by city lights, october 2018 1.
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