Pensando En Parientes

Don't read further if you prefer to know absolutely nothing about a film or book before you watch or read it.  I myself prefer other things over the plot, such as how pieces fit together, and what was creator's inspiration. Fixation on only the actions in plot can lead people to ignore other important elements, what famous readers' advisory librarian NANCY PEARL (she's got her own action figure!) calls "the four book doorways"  she explains in March 16, 2012 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY   https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/nancy-pearl/article/51109-check-it-out-with-nancy-pearl-finding-that-next-good-book.html  --character, setting, and language I love in my favorite writers' work (a few are refered to below, linked to this movie). Like many writers, Shakespeare himself is well-known for finding ideas for his own plays in history and other stories, and creatively transforming them, like powerful  sorcerer  Prospero in his final play...

  ENCHANTED HACIENDA   by J.C. Cervantes is a hybrid in a number of ways--part romance novel, part Bildungsroman (about young person becoming adult finding their true place in the world / personal life purpose).  Added to the mix is a form of fantasy, re-working Latin American magical realism of the last century. (Also wonder if author read Zenna Henderson stories about "The People" set mostly in remote areas of American Southwest, in part inspired by what local indigenous population called themselves.)  Author had previously written novels aimed at young readers, including titles in series forming part of famous Rick Riordan adventures about present day young teens or kids who find out they are modern links to ancient mythological characters.  Not sure if this is form of "cultural appropriation", a category of behavior which can be seen as very vague & controversial.  Differing perceptions, both positive & negative, are presented in Wikipedia ...

Classic story   CORAZON SALVAJE   based on book trilogy by influential Cuban writer (see also telenovela   LA MENTIRA --brief summary at end of post) has been repeatedly remade in movie and telenovela versions.  Writers of fiction often find inspiration by asking "what if" questions.  CS might be result of wondering how to turn  GONE WITH THE WIND  into a true romance--which Margaret Mitchell's novel is not--although sometimes misread as one.  This error of interpretation is rebutted in book  A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROMANCE NOVEL  by Pamela Regis, a scholarly study of genre that is "the most popular, yet least respected".   First of essential "eight narrative elements" explained by Regis is  "a definition of society, always corrupt, that the romance novel will reform".    In CS, romantic hero is freedom fighter, not supporter of society built on slavery.  Essay  "Utopias televisadas"  by American ...

LAPL celebrates Latinix Heritage month from Sept 15-October 15 (Search Latinx on LAPL website)  Interest in Hispanic culture shouldn't be limited to a mere month. Besides reading Hispanic authors (from Ilan Stavans' lectures on early 1600's DON QUIXOTE to 21st century writers like Isabel Allende), am binge-watching favorite classic telenovelas seen years before, now streaming on VIX based on radio-novelas/books LA MENTIRA ,  CORAZON   SALVAJE  &  CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER .  Looking for something "new" to watch during production gap caused by Hollywood Writer & Actor Guild strikes?  I highly recommend series mentioned above, along with one described below I'm currently re-watching based on Fernando Gaitan's book with five page prologue by former President of Colombia (the country, not the university).      Briefly (tho it's so much more) story follows young woman migrant harvester with big dreams, who with hard work, brains, i...