Chicano Frankenstein

A little (reanimated) slice of life feel and jam packed with modern juxtapositions. This a wonderfully written novella with a little pinch from multiple genres. Olivas creates a compelling story through a Chicano lens about identity, discovery, love and what it truly means to be alive. I really enjoyed the jarring transcripts from the different governing bodies paralleling the protagonist’s storyline. I also really enjoyed this unique found family narrative. I could not put this book down and it’s a delectable in-one-sitting read. It’s set up so well to be expanded and I would love to see more stories about this reanimated community.

This was such a fascinating read. An excellent blend of the inane, sci fi and current events.Inspired primarily by Shelley’s famous novel and current US politics, Olivas brings us the story of an unnamed protagonist in near future California. Our protagonist is a reanimated human stitched together out of 3 people, he has no memory of his past and lives a fairly rigid life, until he meets the lovely, but blunt, Faustina. As his relationship with Faustina develops the man starts to really question his origins and what it means to be human, and loved. He explores this and it leads to a somewhat unfinished but mostly happy ending though it seems storm clouds are gathering at the periphery, leading the reader to make inferences, and ponder for themselves current events through a new lense of understanding

This book was an interesting combination of the Frankenstein, modern politics, latinx culture, and marginalized populations. The story follows an unnamed reanimated man and Faustina, who have a budding relationship. Intertwined through their story are various interviews and presidential conversations discussing the reanimated and what rights they should have in our society. It has a similar feel to recent political controversy, so this book probably won’t be for everyone.“The man” seemed to have a very logical, almost a robotic, feel to him, and he actually reminded me a lot of Star Trek: TNG’s character, Data. It’s understandable though, given that he has no history or family, and basically became a clean slate only 3 years ago. Through his interactions with Faustina, I think his character grows, and he starts to feel more human.The book has a very abrupt ending, leaving me feeling like there were things I still didn’t understand or feel were resolved. It felt like things were starting to get really interesting, to suddenly come to a screeching halt. Maybe that’s the point, since it keeps you thinking, but it just didn’t work for me. In the end, the book fell a bit short for me, but it definitely had some interesting concepts in it.Thank you to Forest Avenue Press and Edelweiss for the review copy of Chicano Frankenstein. All opinions expressed in my review are completely my own.