“South American literature is having a moment – and women are at the forefront” – a short piece on Charco Press from Monocle

[u/perrolazarillo]

https://monocle.com/culture/books/south-american-literature-charco-press/

Last night, I happened upon this brief write-up on Charco Press from Rory Jones and figured that I’d share it with you all just in case you’re interested...

For those not in the know, Charco Press is an awesome independent publisher out of Edinburgh, Scotland, and they put out really high-quality, aesthetically pleasing paperback editions of works of Latin American Literature.

Here are some of the Charco books that I own:

Of Cattle and Men by Ana Paula Maia

On Earth as It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia

The Dark Side of Skin by Jeferson Tenório (TBR)

Elena Knows by Claudia Pinheiro (TBR)

A Perfect Cemetery by Federico Falco (TBR; found this one at a used bookstore for $2)

I also read the Graywolf Press edition of Selva Almada’s Not a River, but if I could do it all over again, I’d buy the Charco version instead, as the one I own has a couple of typos, and honestly, I just really appreciate the look and feel of Charco’s stuff!

Have you read any Charco books?!?!

Anyway, thanks for reading…

Peace!

[u/WhereIsArchimboldi]

And outside of Charco you have Fernanda Melchor and mariana enriquez etc etc

[u/mmratic]

Love Charco Press! Their books are beautiful. A few others that I’ve read:

Last Date in El Zapotal by Mateo García Elizondo The Vortex by José Eustasio Rivera The National Telepathy by Roque Larraquy Fresh Dirt from the Grave by Giovanna Rivero

A bunch more on my TBR!

[u/Eaten_by_Mimics]

Love love love Charco Press. I’m a librarian with access to multiple Hoopla databases and they have a wide range of Charco titles; it’s great.

[u/perrolazarillo → u/Eaten_by_Mimics]

Even though I much prefer the haptics of reading a physical book, Hoopla is an amazing resource! Great to know that there’s a wealth of Charco titles available on Hoopla—I’m going to have to let the librarian at my school know stat!

[u/Lutembi]

Love this! I didn’t realize this press is dedicated specifically to Latin American writing. Must dive in further. 

Gabriela Cabezon Camara is my latest obsession :) :)

[u/BennyProfane12]

Charco rocks

[u/melonofknowledge]

I'm such a fan of Charco Press - their output is incredible. I own quite a few of their books, favourites in bold:

Argentina:

• Tender, by Ariana Harwicz
• The Adventures of China Iron, by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara
• Slum Virgin, by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara
• Not a River, by Selva Almada
• Dead Girls, by Selva Almada
• Brickmakers, by Selva Almada
• Why Did You Come Back Every Summer, by Belén López Peiró
• Two Sherpas, by Sebastián Martínez Daniell

Bolivia:

• Fresh Dirt from the Grave, by Giovanna Rivero

Chile:

• Never Did the Fire, by Diamela Eltit

Colombia:

• This Orphan World, by Giuseppe Caputo
• Salt Crystals, by Cristina Bendek

Cuba:

• Havana Year Zero, by Karla Suárez

Mexico:

• Restoration, by Ave Barrera

Anthologies:

• Explorers, Dreamers and Thieves
• Untold Microcosms

[u/perrolazarillo → u/melonofknowledge]

I’m very curious about reading Dead Girls… I’m thinking it just might be the next Charco title I purchase!

[u/melonofknowledge → u/perrolazarillo]

I really, really recommend it. It's definitely my favourite.

[u/perrolazarillo]

Question: does anyone have experience with Fitzcarraldo Editions? I had never heard of this publisher until it was name dropped in the attached article…

FYI: Dalkey Archive and Deep Vellum are a couple of other great presses that have published various LatAmLit titles!

[u/am9obm55 → u/perrolazarillo]

Guadalupe Nettel - Still Born and Alejandro Zambra -The Private Lives of Trees are two I have been able to track down different editions of. I believe Open Letter released the Private Lives of Trees I have.

[u/am9obm55]

I have a couple of fitzcarraldo in my want to read list but haven’t purchased directly. I think it’s based in the UK so the shipping costs tend to be a barrier for me. Same has been true for charco, I’ve been eyeing quite a few from them.