Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Normal Miguel

by Erik Orrantia (Goodreads Author)

3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 · rating details · 32 ratings · 13 reviews

Miguel Hernndez is a teacher who has left Mexico City to complete a one year student internship in the rural hills of Puebla. He came to the school intending to focus on his teaching and his students but quickly learns that it is impossible to keep his private and professional lives separate-particularly as his experience turns into a voyage of self-discovery. His students...more

Paperback, 224 pages

Published June 1st 2010 by Cheyenne Publishing (first published 2010)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Conversations with S. Teri O'Type by Christopher Allen

Lesser-Known M/M Books

14th out of 300 books — 195 voters

The Definitive Albert J. Sterne by Julie Bozza

Best Underrated M/M Books

25th out of 99 books — 58 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 120)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 10, 2011 Amos Lassen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Orrantia, Erik. “Normal Miguel”, Cheyenne Publishing, 2010.
Discovering Self
Amos Lassen
I really love to read new authors and one writes a book that stays with me, I feel as if I have received a double blessing. Such is the case with Erik Orrantia’s, “Normal Miguel”. The search for identity is certainly nothing new in literature and especially in GLBT literature so an author has to find a new twist to keep the reader involved.
Miguel Hernandez goes into the rural area of Puebla so that he can finis...more Orrantia, Erik. “Normal Miguel”, Cheyenne Publishing, 2010.
Discovering Self
Amos Lassen
I really love to read new authors and one writes a book that stays with me, I feel as if I have received a double blessing. Such is the case with Erik Orrantia’s, “Normal Miguel”. The search for identity is certainly nothing new in literature and especially in GLBT literature so an author has to find a new twist to keep the reader involved.
Miguel Hernandez goes into the rural area of Puebla so that he can finish his student teaching requirement. Like all new teachers he is idealistic and certain that he will succeed. (I remember those days so well). However, he soon learns that it is almost impossible to separate his professional life from his private life and since he is on a journey of self-discovery, everything he does gives him thought. Aside from his responsibilities at school, there is Ruben who owns the candy store on town and with whom a relationship progresses from acquaintance to friend to lover.
Miguel lives in fear that his students will discover that he is gay but he also struggles with the idea that he is not good enough as a teacher. Like all students, he is challenged by them but he soon wins them over. He realizes that he can learn from them just as they can learn from him. However teachers cannot live just by the love of their students and when Miguel meets Ruben, the attraction is immediate. As the two men get to know each other, we watch love blossom and I must say that Orrantia has handled this beautifully. So often in gay literature, sex is the base of a relationship but here we see the two men getting to know each other, learning about each other and eventually and slowly falling in love. This happens in the midst of wonderful descriptions of the town of Comalticán that are almost poetic. Orrantia’s prose is lush, gorgeous and very real and a contrast to the poverty of the people as opposed to the wealth of the beauty of the location.
It is the people with whom we are concerned and it is the triumph of humanity that makes this novel succeed. This is a lovely story of a journey to self as Miguel learns just who he is. As Miguel finds himself with Ruben, we are introduced to a wonderful cast of colorful supporting characters and they add to the story just by being there. While not integral to the plot, they are important to the backdrop of the town. Miguel is the chief teller of the story and I picture him as much the same kind of idealist that I was when I began teaching—his nervousness and his fears are very familiar–he is a teacher as well as a student of life.
The story itself is simple and we have seen it many times but it is told with such beauty that it is impossible not to love this book. Miguel is a simple man living a simple life in a place where everything is quite simple so what makes this book special? I have already said that the prose is wonderful and the descriptions bring us to a new place. Miguel is a kind of a simple everyman looking for himself dealing with the typical problems of a community living in near poverty. He finds love and with it finds himself and the way Orrantia paints the scene, we are there with him. The town as the backdrop for the story is a microcosm of the larger world where things may not be so cut and dry but the problems are the same.
This is Orrantia’s first book but it is an important one. He has jumped into the pool of literature with a gorgeous swan dive and this book is proof that he will stay afloat. I understand that another book is in the editing stages now and we will have it soon. I, personally, cannot wait and once you read this book I am sure you will agree.
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 22, 2010 Elisa Ramblings added it

If you analyze this story, really it’s a very simple one, Miguel is a young teacher living in Mexico City and blaming himself for being gay; he is trying with all his own to make his mother proud, the same mother who is probably reflecting all her disappointed hopes in him; no father around to balance her, in a good or bad way. When Miguel leaves Mexico City for Puebla, in another effort to achieve something worthy in his life, even the job as teacher in a rural boarding school would be better t...more If you analyze this story, really it’s a very simple one, Miguel is a young teacher living in Mexico City and blaming himself for being gay; he is trying with all his own to make his mother proud, the same mother who is probably reflecting all her disappointed hopes in him; no father around to balance her, in a good or bad way. When Miguel leaves Mexico City for Puebla, in another effort to achieve something worthy in his life, even the job as teacher in a rural boarding school would be better than nothing, he is not expecting to find a new life and love in that rural town. But it’s probably quite simple, in the small community where he arrives, nothing is pointless and everything is known, and it takes no much time to find out that Ruben, the local candy store owner, is also gay, and that he will the perfect partner for Miguel.

In the big city being gay is something dirty and forbidden, it’s abnormal, and Miguel wants with all his heart to be normal. In the little community where he arrives, being gay is a sin, sure, but in a way, being in the open, it’s not possible to hide anything in that situation, makes it more “normal”, more ordinary, and a normal life with his very normal boyfriend, having a very normal relationship, is possible. Ad Absurdum, for once, it’s the impossibility to be anonymous that makes possible for Miguel to be happy; in the big city he had the chance to hide, and in hiding he had no chance to find happiness; in the small town, he has not place where to hide, and he is forced to come out. He is indeed lucky, since he is in a situation where it’s possible to cohabitate, and despite some threats, he will be always the teacher from the town, a somewhat privileged role, and some sort of protection.

There was a out of time feeling in the story, if not for some hints of modernity (like Christina Aguilera), the novel could have been well be set in the ’50 of the XX century. There are no cars, no modern sounds to overcome the voice of nature; Ruben, Miguel’s boyfriend, moves on a horse, and he still bakes candies from scratch. The dangers for the people, especially for the children at the school, are all from nature, not from modernity. Even if Miguel sometime refers to music, I had not heard television or radio sounds. What instead was quite palpable was the hot and cold of the weather, the feeling of the rain on the skin when Miguel takes a walk under it. You sometime felt even what the author didn’t describe, like the sweat or the smell of it.

Miguel is not a strong man, he is not a hero; on the contrary he is sometime weak, and he has for sure a lot of self-esteem issues, probably a baggage from his youth and the love/hate relationship with his mother. Often Miguel tries unconsciously to find a way to punish himself, like with his abusive relationship with the Captain, or when he almost manages to destroy his relationship with Ruben having an affair with Tomas; it’s clearly a punishment since both times he doesn’t find pleasure in those acts, they are degrading, and Miguel is nothing more than an object for those men. It will be a long way for Miguel to admit that he is not to be punished for being gay, that he can enjoy his love with Ruben, that he is normal even if he is not ordinary.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0979777399/?...(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 01, 2010 Kassa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Normal Miguel is a delightful story about men, women, and children as they live, love, and triumph over hardships while celebrating life to the fullest. This is nominally gay fiction since the lead character is gay and there are certain themes and tensions relating to that, but the concepts are definitely more universal. The search for love, happiness, and a career are issues everyone tackles at one time or another. Miguel is a sympathetic and honest narrator, offering his views and struggles. B...more Normal Miguel is a delightful story about men, women, and children as they live, love, and triumph over hardships while celebrating life to the fullest. This is nominally gay fiction since the lead character is gay and there are certain themes and tensions relating to that, but the concepts are definitely more universal. The search for love, happiness, and a career are issues everyone tackles at one time or another. Miguel is a sympathetic and honest narrator, offering his views and struggles. Beautifully written with a lush prose that brings the Mexican countryside alive with stunning vibrancy, this is a wonderful story I think most will enjoy.

Miguel is a new graduate of the Normal school and he’s off to spend a year teaching as a student teacher in a small village. He’s trying to get away from the crowded, unhappy streets of Mexico City with his angry, disappointed mother and painful past relationships. Arriving in the small city, Miguel is not sure what to think, but soon finds a calling in teaching. He meets a local candy store owner and although the attraction is immediate, Miguel worries what will happen to his job and life if the relationship is exposed. Ruben has his own troubles as well with an ailing mother. Miguel’s year of internship reveals loves, loss, truth, and knowledge while exposing the joyful spirit of the people and the stunning rural setting.

From the beginning description of a loose bolt rolling on the floor of a lumbering bus, the lush descriptive prose reveals a vibrant setting that immediately entices. The writing here is truly wonderful and brings the Mexican countryside alive with a rare authenticity. Whether depicting sweltering heat, freezing rain, or high winds, the setting and weather are a character of their own. You really feel as though you’ve visited and experienced the country with its gorgeous landscapes, rolling hills, and sweeping vistas all described with simplicity and honesty. Instead of grandiose prose, the setting is captured with few well chosen words. If nothing else, this story is worthwhile reading for the experience of inviting small towns, bustling cities, and a rare glimpse into beauty not often seen.

The characters, however, are equally vibrant and absorbing. Miguel is the main narrator and his experiences range from frustrating and drama ridden to heart warming and satisfying. He is not without flaws and missteps as he struggles to balance his ideals of life with reality. He’s a sympathetic narrator, even as he makes mistakes, but he learns from his mistakes; sometimes too well as he tends to live on the extremes of life and emotion for most of the story. Miguel spends most of the story worrying, upset, confused, and going too far in any one direction. However, by the end he’s grown, matured, and really come into his own, finally making choices and decisions that will settle his life.

The cast of secondary characters are eye catching, but in some ways too much so. The point of view bounces awkwardly among these characters and in confusing ways. It’s sometimes difficult to follow whose perspective you’re reading with the abrupt shifts but thankfully this doesn’t kill your reading enjoyment. From the school children to various adults, parents, and family members, there are numerous interesting characters introduced. These offer different views on family, society, and dreams for the future. They show the real joy of the people, their spirit, celebrations and hardships. Here poverty is depicted in honest, raw ways that could be depressing but the indomitable spirit of the people and their joy in life comes through. The celebrations offered show how important it is to embrace life in all ways and becomes an uplifting theme of the story.

While the main thrust is following Miguel and the various secondary characters in his orbit, there are several subplots that are introduced and subsequently dropped. Similar to the distraction of too many characters and confusing points of view, there are also too many conflicts introduced and never really resolved. Some of this is meant to show homophobia in small towns but when later totally dropped, makes me wonder why it’s included in the way it is. There are small details given time and attention only to be totally ignored later on – such as the dolls and drawings – which are distracting and better handled differently. This is a small compliant since I was totally absorbed in Miguel’s journey, but they did cause me to pause a few times with frustration.

Overall this stands out for the unique writing, lyrical descriptions, and vibrancy of the setting. Though the main relationship is between Miguel and Ruben, their journey separately and together is recognizable by a wide range of people. The struggles and celebrations of life are likely to resonate with all kinds of readers and if nothing else, the setting is one not to be missed.

This is another one that’s hard to pigeon hole with the star rating. The writing deserves close to 5 stars yet the wandering plot and point of view issues would bring that down. I ended up bumping up the rating some due to the uniqueness of the story and just being something different that I haven’t read before.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 13, 2012 James rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a fine first book from a new author. Some of the characters weren't as fully developed as I would have liked, but for the most part, the main characters were rendered competently and thoroughly. There was however, a certain choppiness in the flow of the storyline, and some unresolved situations that I would have liked to have seen fleshed out. In particular, I would have liked some continuing narrative of the friendship between Teresa's family and Miguel. We were also left out in the bl...more

1 like · like · see review

May 28, 2011 Jon Wilson rated it 4 of 5 stars

A sweet, gentle fairytale of rural Mexico—and I’m not using that label lightly. There is a fairy godmother, assorted magical Dwarves/Elves, an old Crone/Hag, an Ogre, and even a Prince Charming (who at one point “rescues” our hero atop a noble steed). Of course, it’s all been updated and “normalized” but all the elements are there.

There’s little not to like about Orrantia’s novel, which tells the tale of Miguel leaving the big city for a year of student-teaching in a very rustic area of Mexico....more

like · see review

Feb 19, 2012 Val Kovalin added it

Just for fun, 6 word synopsis: Teacher finds purpose in rural Mexico.

Gorgeously vivid depiction of tropical Mexican countryside and memories of crowded, urban Mexico City. Relatively uncomplicated but appealing main character.

Leisurely pace to the story, which covers a year in the life of a student-teacher at a rural school and his interactions with his students which correspond to the seasonal festivals. He has to face some indirect homophobia, but the story keeps an optimistic tone.

There is a...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 04, 2010 Kiki added it

I couldn't rate this because (1) I didn't finish it and (2) I just couldn't decide on a rating; or for that matter, what I think of it. Some of the writing and descriptions are wonderful, but the very slow, very pensive tone made it drag. I gave up on it about 30% through the book when I realized I was MAKING myself continue. Also the the frequent changes in points of view were confusing and irritating; sometimes it'd change POV within the same paragraph!

I might give it another try later ...

like · see review

Jul 09, 2010 Ruth Sims added it

I did something wrong here. I meant to mark it "To Read" (I don't have a copy yet)but it popped up like this, needing a review. Well, there will be one eventually, but not yet! I love the cover and the blurb.

like · see review

Jul 26, 2011 Shawn rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this because it recently won a Lambda Literary Award. Liked the story, but the writing wasn't anything special.

1 like · like · see review

Nov 02, 2012 Indie Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: rainbow-reviews, favorites, indie-reviews, lgbt, fiction

Normal Miguel by Erik Orrantia is a beautiful story of a young man's journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. It is an extremely well written novel that transported me to the rural hills of the Puebla and the impoverished rural Mexican village of Comaltican and into the lives of not only Miguel and Ruben, but also the many colourful secondary characters that make up this community.

The complete review of Normal Miguel by Erik Orrantia is available at Indie Reviews.

like · see review

Mar 25, 2012 Lee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Normal Miguel is a delightful book. In rural Mexico, a young, gay, student teacher, Miguel, begins a one year internship at a residential school and he learns what it takes to be an adult. The book is very well written and edited, and even though, at times, it became a bit schmaltzy, I'm glad that I read the book. I look forward to reading more from this author. I give Normal Miguel three and a half stars, rounded up to four because goodreads doesn't trust us with half stars.

like · see review

Aug 03, 2010 K.Z. Snow rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'd have given this between 4 and 5 if I'd had the option.

like · see review

May 19, 2013 Sarah Sammis rated it 1 of 5 stars

Recommended to Sarah by: Alan Chin

Shelves: borrowed, exwishlist, linkplus, read-in-2013

Link+ due May 22, 2013

like · see review

May 13, 2013 Don Brookes added it

Apr 30, 2013 Mammarella marked it as maybe

Shelves: mm

Mar 15, 2013 Jessa Ryan marked it as to-read-maybe

Mar 02, 2013 Tara marked it as to-read

Feb 08, 2013 Kristie marked it as to-read

Shelves: as-of-1-27-13-new

Feb 07, 2013 Mona Portuguiz is currently reading it

Feb 06, 2013 Callum marked it as to-read

Jan 14, 2013 Ery marked it as to-read

Shelves: top-of-the-heap

Jan 08, 2013 Suze marked it as to-read

Jan 03, 2013 L O V E L E S S marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: bristlecone-pine-press

Dec 30, 2012 Peter marked it as to-read

Dec 21, 2012 Beck marked it as check-it-out · review of another edition

Dec 20, 2012 Fioresan marked it as to-read

Dec 14, 2012 Rachel marked it as to-read

Dec 08, 2012 True Colorz added it

Shelves: gay

Nov 29, 2012 Mercedes marked it as to-read

Shelves: wishlist

Jan 09, 2013 Arlene rated it 5 of 5 stars

« previous 1 2 3 4 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Mexican Stereotypes	2	17	Jun 22, 2010 06:55am

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Romance > M M Romance

7 users

Glbt > Gay

3 users

Glbt

2 users

Contemporary

2 users

See top shelves...

About Erik Orrantia

Born in San Francisco in 1970, Erik Orrantia lived in the San Francisco Bay area until 1997. By that time, he had earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling at California State University in Hayward. His original intention was to build a practice in psychotherapy.

He then felt a calling to explore the world and entered an International Study Program in Mexico City...more

More about Erik Orrantia...

Books by Erik Orrantia

The Letter Q: Queer Writers' Notes to their Younger Selves

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Normal Miguel

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Normal Miguel
avg rating	preview: Normal Miguel Goodreads rating: 3.84 (32 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8159291-normal-miguel?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1273863524l/8159291.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8159291-normal-miguel?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Normal Miguel by Erik Orrantia[/url]

Normal Miguel

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (2)

Genres

About Erik Orrantia

Books by Erik Orrantia

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Normal Miguel

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (2)