Gabino Iglesias, a Bram Stoker Award-winning author, dives into his latest novel, 'House of Bone and Rain.' He shares his fascination with horror, recalling the unsettling stories that shaped his youth. The discussion highlights themes of grief and revenge among friends in Puerto Rico, exploring the complexities of male friendships and the impact of toxic masculinity. Iglesias also reflects on the interplay of myth and natural disasters in storytelling, revealing how personal tragedies fuel his compelling narratives.
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insights INSIGHT
Toxic Masculinity and Redemption
Male ego can drive destructive behavior.
However, some aspects of traditional masculinity, like helping others, are worth preserving.
insights INSIGHT
The Significance of Maria
Hurricane Maria, both the character and the natural disaster, plays a central role in the novel.
It highlights the real-life struggles and government failures faced by Puerto Ricans.
insights INSIGHT
Mythical Forces
Iglesias created a new, dark god linked to hurricanes within the novel.
This adds a supernatural dimension to the storm's destructive power.
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Stand By Me, a coming-of-age novel by Stephen King, tells the story of four boys who embark on a journey to find the body of a missing boy. The novel explores themes of friendship, loss, and the transition from childhood to adulthood. King's masterful storytelling creates a sense of suspense and mystery, while also capturing the emotional complexities of adolescence. The novel's exploration of the power of friendship and the challenges of growing up has resonated with readers for decades. The film adaptation of the novel further cemented its place in popular culture.
House of Bone and Rain
Gabino Iglesias
House of Bone and Rain is a visceral novel that follows a group of young men seeking vengeance after one of their mothers is murdered. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a hurricane, which brings supernatural elements and intensifies the characters' quest for justice. The narrative explores themes of grief, violence, and the blurred lines between myth and reality.
By the time he was in middle school, writer Gabino Iglesias gravitated toward stories that unsettled him. Stories that scared him enough that he needed to turn on a light. Now a Bram Stoker Award-winning author, Iglesias writes this type of fiction himself. Today on The Sunday Story, Iglesias talks to host Ayesha Rascoe about his new novel, House of Bone and Rain, which centers on a group of friends determined to avenge a murder. Iglesias describes how he uses supernatural elements to make a story more powerful, the redeeming parts of toxic masculinity, and the beauty and perils of unwavering loyalty.
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