Myriam Gurba, author of the acclaimed essay collection Creep, and Ingrid Rojas Contreras, author of the debut memoir The Man Who Could Move Clouds, engage in a powerful conversation about reclaiming narratives. They discuss the urgency of sharing personal stories rooted in trauma and identity while highlighting the role of humor as a healing tool. The authors explore navigating familial relationships marked by violence, the significance of cultural identity, and the complexities of truth in creative nonfiction, challenging Western literary conventions.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Whiskey Smell of the Deceased Uncle
Ingrid Rojas Contreras's family believes her deceased uncle visits, marked by a whiskey smell.
Her mother leaves water for him, causing confusion when Contreras's dad unknowingly drinks it.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Writing with the Dead
Myriam Gurba's grandfather, a man of letters, held misogynistic views, discouraging women writers.
Gurba defied him, co-writing an essay with his spirit and Juan Rulfo, incorporating divination.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Hidden Funerals and Multiple Families
Rojas Contreras's family hid her grandfather's funeral, fearing the appearance of other families.
Gurba recounts her grandfather having multiple families, causing a haunting reunion at his funeral.
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Ingrid Rojas Contreras's \\"The Man Who Could Move Clouds\\" is a captivating memoir that delves into the author's Colombian heritage and explores the complexities of family, memory, and identity. The narrative seamlessly blends personal experiences with elements of magical realism, challenging conventional notions of truth and history. The book examines the impact of violence and displacement on individuals and communities, highlighting the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Through vivid storytelling and insightful reflections, Contreras crafts a powerful and moving account of her family's history and her own journey of self-discovery. The book's exploration of cultural identity and the power of storytelling resonates deeply with readers.
Creep
Creep
Myriam Gurba
Myriam Gurba's \\"Creep\\" is a powerful and insightful collection of essays that explores themes of gender, violence, and identity. The essays are characterized by Gurba's distinctive voice, which blends humor, vulnerability, and sharp wit. Gurba masterfully weaves together personal narratives with broader social and political commentary, offering a nuanced and critical perspective on issues of power and oppression. The book's exploration of female rage and the complexities of trauma resonates deeply with readers. \\"Creep\\" is a significant contribution to contemporary literature, challenging readers to confront difficult truths and embrace the power of storytelling.
Pedro Paramo
Juan Rulfo
The novel tells the story of Juan Preciado, who promises his mother on her deathbed to find his father, Pedro Páramo, in the town of Comala. Upon arrival, Juan discovers a ghost town inhabited by spectral characters who reveal the tragic and violent history of Comala and the corrupt, cruel life of Pedro Páramo. The narrative is non-linear, jumping between different timelines and perspectives, and explores themes of memory, loss, and the interconnection between the spiritual and physical realms. The book is a classic of Mexican and Latin American literature, known for its magical realism and profound insights into human nature.
Myriam Gurba and Ingrid Rojas Contreras
Mean, and the recent essay collection, Creep, a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle award in criticism. Rojas Contreras’s dazzling debut memoir, The Man Who Could Move Clouds, explores her Colombian identity and reckons with the bounds of reality through an oral history that challenges Western notions of history and memory. The two authors will be in conversation, speaking to the urgency of writing our stories as we need to tell them, why there’s more space within creative nonfiction than Western traditions will have us believe, and why confronting oppression in our writing and in our lived experience is essential.
Bay Area Book Festival Podcast 
