Jose Builds a
Woman
Magical Realism for another one hundred
years
This heartfelt debut is a
cinematic vision, a wonderfully entertaining, accessible story that is sure to
win over critics and readers of contemporary fiction. -First place for fiction
in the national Kay Snow Literary Awards
"JOSE BUILDS A WOMAN" is written in the
sensual tradition of magical realism. With lush prose and dry humor, Baross
captures the fluid boundaries between life and death. The multi-layered saga
revolves around the impenetrable passions of Tortugina, the doyenne of bad
love, Gabito, the beautiful and jealous octopus diver and their son, Jose, a
boy obsessed with marrying a nun.
"What a romp. Let Baross take you for a
wild ride on her magical-realism camel from the village of Octopus to the
village of The Women through an extravagantly carnal Mexico of the
imagination."
-Ursula LeGuin
"Jose Builds a Woman is one of the most magical and
beautiful and honest novels about men and women, lovers, mothers and sons,
about life and death, that you'll ever be privileged to read. Baross has a gift
for tender beauty on the page. I can't remember when I last enjoyed a book this
much"- Molly
Gloss, author of Jump Off Creek
"Baross
writes with a big beautiful new voice, exuberant and full of gritty earth and
bright skies. Tortugina is a heroine for the ages-her story is about a
commitment to love and honor and self-respect against all odds and along the
way it's a wild trip to the Mexico of our dark northern dreams. At the end, you
not only want to cheer for Tortugina, you want to stay". -Joanna Rose, author of Little
Miss Strange.
"Sexy, enchanting, funny and well-told,
Jan Baross spins a marvelous tale filled with fantasy and passion. I loved it."
-Iris Rainer
Dart, author of Beaches
