Latin Satins

This is not a review, but a comment by the author, Terri de la Pena. I just logged on to see if a synopsis existed for my forthcoming novel "Faults," (Alyson, 1999) and was surprised to see that "Latin Satins" is still evoking comments five years after its publication. No, it was never intended to be a young adult novel. Much to my surprise, the New York Public Library listed the book on its recommended list for young adults, which caused me a certain amount of pride and consternation. I certainly do not relish being the target of readers who think I would direct my fiction to young readers. And I'm not a beginning writer, either. Have been writing since I was 13 and am now 52! Hope y'all will like my new book . . . .

Once again, Kirkus disparages a very good book by a beginning writer apparently simply because it has a multicultural message. True, at times de la Pena seems to lay it on a bit thick -- but prejudice is the theme of her book, after all, and for those who haven't experienced homophobia and racism first-hand, subtleties may well be lost in any case. What I most admire in de la Pena's work is her willingness to deal in ambiguities; "Latin Satins" doesn't end with a neat resolution, but leaves the reader hoping that the protagonist will overcome the struggles before her. A very interesting, very moving early novel.