Normal Miguel by Erik Orrantia

Title: Normal Miguel
Author: Erik Orrantia
Publisher: Cheyenne Publishing
Length:: Novel/220 pages ebook
Buy the book: Powell’s / ebook

Blurb:

Miguel Hernández is a teacher who has left Mexico City to complete a one year student internship in the rural hills of Puebla. He came to the school intending to focus on his teaching and his students but quickly learns that it is impossible to keep his private and professional lives separate—particularly as his experience turns into a voyage of self-discovery.

His students, the Directora of the school, the baker, and other people from the town all contribute to his growing awareness. But most important is Ruben, the owner of the candy store who progresses from merchant to friend to lover. He will be the man who has the most effect on Miguel — who, in turn, is transformed by the impact of Miguel on his own life.

This is a lyrical story that brings to life the countryside of rural Mexico, with its grinding poverty but care of the people for their native land; expressing prejudice and hate but at the same time affirming the power of love and acceptance in overcoming obstacles. As a slice of life in the year of Miguel, Normal Miguel will certainly capture the hearts and imaginations of those who join him on his journey in the pages of the book.

Review:

Normal Miguel is a delightful story about men, women, and children as they live, love, and triumph over hardships while celebrating life to the fullest. This is nominally gay fiction since the lead character is gay and there are certain themes and tensions relating to that, but the concepts are definitely more universal. The search for love, happiness, and a career are issues everyone tackles at one time or another. Miguel is a sympathetic and honest narrator, offering his views and struggles. Beautifully written with a lush prose that brings the Mexican countryside alive with stunning vibrancy, this is a wonderful story I think most will enjoy.

Miguel is a new graduate of the Normal school and he’s off to spend a year teaching as a student teacher in a small village. He’s trying to get away from the crowded, unhappy streets of Mexico City with his angry, disappointed mother and painful past relationships. Arriving in the small city, Miguel is not sure what to think, but soon finds a calling in teaching. He meets a local candy store owner and although the attraction is immediate, Miguel worries what will happen to his job and life if the relationship is exposed. Ruben has his own troubles as well with an ailing mother. Miguel’s year of internship reveals loves, loss, truth, and knowledge while exposing the joyful spirit of the people and the stunning rural setting.

From the beginning description of a loose bolt rolling on the floor of a lumbering bus, the lush descriptive prose reveals a vibrant setting that immediately entices. The writing here is truly wonderful and brings the Mexican countryside alive with a rare authenticity. Whether depicting sweltering heat, freezing rain, or high winds, the setting and weather are a character of their own. You really feel as though you’ve visited and experienced the country with its gorgeous landscapes, rolling hills, and sweeping vistas all described with simplicity and honesty. Instead of grandiose prose, the setting is captured with few well chosen words. If nothing else, this story is worthwhile reading for the experience of inviting small towns, bustling cities, and a rare glimpse into beauty not often seen.

The characters, however, are equally vibrant and absorbing. Miguel is the main narrator and his experiences range from frustrating and drama ridden to heart warming and satisfying. He is not without flaws and missteps as he struggles to balance his ideals of life with reality. He’s a sympathetic narrator, even as he makes mistakes, but he learns from his mistakes; sometimes too well as he tends to live on the extremes of life and emotion for most of the story. Miguel spends most of the story worrying, upset, confused, and going too far in any one direction. However, by the end he’s grown, matured, and really come into his own, finally making choices and decisions that will settle his life.

The cast of secondary characters are eye catching, but in some ways too much so. The point of view bounces awkwardly among these characters and in confusing ways. It’s sometimes difficult to follow whose perspective you’re reading with the abrupt shifts but thankfully this doesn’t kill your reading enjoyment. From the school children to various adults, parents, and family members, there are numerous interesting characters introduced. These offer different views on family, society, and dreams for the future. They show the real joy of the people, their spirit, celebrations and hardships. Here poverty is depicted in honest, raw ways that could be depressing but the indomitable spirit of the people and their joy in life comes through. The celebrations offered show how important it is to embrace life in all ways and becomes an uplifting theme of the story.

While the main thrust is following Miguel and the various secondary characters in his orbit, there are several subplots that are introduced and subsequently dropped. Similar to the distraction of too many characters and confusing points of view, there are also too many conflicts introduced and never really resolved. Some of this is meant to show homophobia in small towns but when later totally dropped, makes me wonder why it’s included in the way it is. There are small details given time and attention only to be totally ignored later on – such as the dolls and drawings – which are distracting and better handled differently. This is a small compliant since I was totally absorbed in Miguel’s journey, but they did cause me to pause a few times with frustration.

Overall this stands out for the unique writing, lyrical descriptions, and vibrancy of the setting. Though the main relationship is between Miguel and Ruben, their journey separately and together is recognizable by a wide range of people. The struggles and celebrations of life are likely to resonate with all kinds of readers and if nothing else, the setting is one not to be missed.

This is another one that’s hard to pigeon hole with the star rating. The writing deserves close to 5 stars yet the wandering plot and point of view issues would bring that down. I ended up bumping up the rating some due to the uniqueness of the story and just being something different that I haven’t read before.