
Malas
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Christine Avila
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Victoria Villarreal
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By:
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Marcela Fuentes
A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK
A Bookpage Best Historical Fiction Book of 2024
“A vivacious, page-turning novel of rebellion and rebirth.”—Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte Laughs Last
A story full of passion and revenge, following one family living on the Texas Mexico border and a curse that reverberates across generations—"Fuentes has achieved something rare and indelible with this story of complex women.” (Erika L. Sánchez)
In 1951, a mysterious old woman confronts Pilar Aguirre in the small border town of La Cienega, Texas. The old woman is sure Pilar stole her husband and, in a heated outburst, lays a curse on Pilar and her family.
More than forty years later, Lulu Muñoz is dodging chaos at every turn: her troubled father’s moods, his rules, her secret life as singer in a punk band, but most of all her upcoming quinceañera. When her beloved grandmother passes away, Lulu finds herself drawn to the glamorous stranger who crashed the funeral and who lives alone and shunned on the edge of town.
Their unexpected kinship picks at the secrets of Lulu’s family’s past. As the quinceañera looms—and we move between these two strong, irascible female voices—one woman must make peace with the past, and one girl pushes to embrace her future.
Rich with cinematic details—from dusty rodeos to the excitement of a Selena concert and the comfort of conjunto ballads played at family gatherings—this memorable debut is a love letter to the Tejano culture and community that sustain both of these women as they discover what family means.
©2024 Marcela Fuentes (P)2024 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
“Malas is an antidote for the hard-line essentialism that has made this world an intolerant, violent place. Fuentes humanizes seemingly insoluble conflicts, both generational and cultural, with imperfect characters who are just doing their best, even when they know they are screwing up. She gives them something that many of us nonfictional people living and messing up in the world could use, and give back—grace.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Malas is a machete: sharp, terrifying, and beautiful. Each character feels dynamic, familiar, and so utterly human in their glorious messiness. Fuentes has achieved something rare and indelible with this story of complex women.”—Erika L. Sánchez, New York Times bestseller author of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter and Crying in the Bathroom
Set in a border town on the Texas side of the Rio Grande, Fuentes’s lively novel explores the intergenerational connection between two strong women. Lulu Muñoz is trying to keep her punk rock band a secret from her substance-abusing father while avoiding thoughts of her garish upcoming quinceañera celebration. When the enigmatic Pilar makes a surprise appearance at a funeral, she and Lulu form a friendship that leads to unexpected discoveries.—Washington Post
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Unique and interesting
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Vivid characters, stunning prose
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Beautiful coming of age story. Real life!
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Fuentes skillfully weaves in references to a shared Mexican-American upbringing, enriched with music, traditions, and the vibrant nuances of our culture. This creates an authentic immersive experience, allowing readers with a similar upbringing to relive cherished memories and recognize the universal themes of identity, family, and belonging.
***SPOILER ALERT***
One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is the element of mysticism surrounding Jose Alfredo's 'first wife.' Her enigmatic presence adds a layer of suspense and intrigue, suggesting that supernatural forces may be at play. However, this subplot ultimately leads to a significant plot hole. The resolution that dismisses her as "just a crazy old lady" feels so unsatisfying and abrupt. I was invested in the idea that Pilar's suffering (and subsequently Julio's) was influenced by this mysterious figure, only to be let down by an anticlimactic conclusion. While throughout the book, Lulu dismisses superstition and bad luck, this resolution diminishes the impact of Pilar's hardships and leaves a sense of incompleteness.
Despite this, Malas remains a compelling and poignant read. Fuentes’ ability to portray the struggles and joys of the Mexican-American experience is both touching and authentic. The book is a testament to the resilience and spirit of our community, even if some narrative threads are left hanging.
A Coming of Age Mexican-American Experience
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