Delusions

This collection of short stories, written by José Prats Sariol and translated by Anja Bernardy, is representative of nearly 20 years of the author's works in short fiction. The stories could be grouped by various themes, such as masks and appearances; the inadequacy and even superfluity of words; and the nostalgia of exile and the bittersweet attainment of "freedom." However, while all of those, and more, lie beneath the surface of stories whose characters are often navigating the difficulties and scarcities of Cuba under Castro-or the mental labyrinths and philosophical conundrums created by the aforementioned-the collection's title alludes to the tie that binds them: delusions. Prats Sariol's prose style-a somewhat baroque sensibility mixed with subtle humor and often poetic descriptions-goes well with the theme of delusions, appearances, and the questioning of an imposed reality, a reality which in its nature and implementation is often contradictory to the very discourses used to impose it. (Katie Brown)