While the throngs were all shopping last Friday, Daniel Olivas's book, Devil Talk, was reviewed by book critic Jordan Rosenfeld for KQED public radio out of San Francisco. See? You should have stayed at home!

Okay, so it's not specifically magical realist in focus, but David Dorado Romo's book, Ringside Seat to a Revolution, was inspired by the author's exploration into the so-called psychogeographic zones of El Paso and Juarez (…"those areas physical and non-physical that express moods, ideas, ideals, thoughts and psychic communities"…). During his research into the subject matter, Romo eventually "stumbled" into a "treasure trove" of chronicled history which shed new light on El Paso and Juarez during the Mexican Revolution. Certainly this would make for interesting reading for anyone interested in the historical and sociopolitical strengths of magical realist literature and its characteristic worldview.

MR IN REVU

Jose Rivera's script, Cloud Tectonics, directed by Aimee Bruneau, will enjoy a full swing of stage productions through December 17 via several venues in Seattle. Brendan Kiley for The Stranger didn't give the play a strong thumbs up, but Kiley does credit Rivera with creating "a hermetic world where Celestina can credibly sigh dreamy metaphors" and says the efforts of actors Todd Licea and Jennifer Faulkner "are enchanting" as Anibal and Celestina. Sounds like a play one has to see for themselves to be sure (isn't that always the case with magical realism?). … Running in the DC area through December 18, Rick DesRochers's Yemaya's Belly doesn't get rave reviews either; Jayne Blanchard for the Washington Times only gave it one star. … Jose Cruz Gonzalez's play, September Shoes, garners better reviews in an article in the Reporter-Herald of Loveland, CO, where the play also expects to run through December 17. Writes Phyllis Walbye, "Although there are sophisticated characters and dialogue in September Shoes, the primary aura is one of innocence as the story moves closer and closer to a fable. … And when have you seen a play that features a Latina maid (Wilma Bonet) as the central character?"