Que Pasa, Colleen?
Description
Que Pasa, Colleen? Stories from a Texas Town is a story of love and all of its various and powerful forms and how love shapes our lives, published posthumously as a tribute to the author. The work is a series of short stories, following the residents of Colleen, TX through life's adventures, trials, and tribulations. The characters are quirky, likeable, and real. The context varies from the sublime and poetic, to horrifying and sorrowful, and jubilant and silly.
The main character, Maria Hernandez, is a powerful woman forced to do whatever it takes to support her family after being abandoned by her "American Dream" seeking husband. Her guilt and shame ensuing, and her eventual salvation aided by a kindhearted priest.
The story also highlights the 4 Hernandez children as they experience their share of life's challenges and rejoice in life's wonders. The stories are all pertinent as they reflect various stages of life and topics that impact everyone, ranging from childhood adventures to death and widowhood.
The Hernandez family (a Hispanic working class immigrant family) is linked to the Brockway family (a middle class Caucasian family) by Maria's years of loyal service as their "domestic," thus intertwining their 2 worlds.
The Brockway family is chronicled with stories dealing with childhood bullying and sibling rivalry, adolescents navigating the road to adulthood, and adults dealing with divorce and death.
Sprinkled in are other various colorful personalities peppering the landscape of Colleen and creating rich body and colorful flair - and a few great recipes, too!
On a deeper level, the book is a light study of the phases of human development as various characters explore different age groups and the challenges of each. Childhood, early adolescence, early adulthood, middle-aged adulthood, senior citizens, and end of life, all get their turn in the various chapters. The author's love of all people, in all phases of life, is apparent. The dialogue and behaviors are real and accurate illustrations of phases of the human experience.
The underlying tone of the book is one of hopefulness and love, leaving the reader with a sense of optimism and awe in the human spirit.
